Trump boosts customs duties on Turkey from 10% to 15% under a fresh executive decree
The White House announced on Thursday that it has raised the tariff rate on Turkish imports to the U.S., increasing it from 10% to 15%. This change is part of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump, aiming to address exploding annual U.S. goods trade deficits and promote reciprocity [1][2][4].
The new tariff rate will take effect on August 7, 2025. The White House described Turkey’s revised 15 percent tariff as moderate compared to higher duties imposed on other countries, such as over 40 percent on China. This relatively modest increase reflects Turkey's status on the U.S. “white list” due to balanced bilateral trade and mutual investments [1].
The increased tariff is not isolated, as the executive order modifies reciprocal tariffs for many countries. The U.S. president has set an Aug. 1 deadline for nations to strike deals with his negotiating team or face heightened import duties [3]. The order states that some of the affected nations "have agreed to, or are on the verge of concluding, meaningful trade and security agreements with the United States" [3].
Most nations received tariff rates between 15%-30%, but Iraq (35%), Laos (40%), Myanmar (40%), Switzerland (39%), and Syria (41%) were each tagged with higher rates [3]. The White House noted that some trading partners have failed to engage in negotiations with the United States or to take adequate steps to align sufficiently with the United States on economic and national security matters [3].
In a separate move, the U.S. President also announced that a separate order signed by him will increase the tariff rate on Canada from 25% to 35% on Aug. 1 [3]. The European Union received differentiated treatment, with goods having Column 1 Duty Rates above 15% receiving 0% tariffs, while goods with Column 1 Duty Rates below 15% will face tariffs of 15% minus the Column 1 Duty Rate [3].
The White House declared a national emergency with respect to the threat posed by these trade deficits, and the new tariff rate on Turkish imports is a significant step in this broader overhaul of U.S. trade policy [1][2][4]. The updated reciprocal tariff rate for Turkey, effective August 7, 2025, is 15 percent, increased from the previous 10 percent rate [1][2][4].
The U.S. President Donald Trump signed the executive order on Thursday, and the new tariffs are expected to raise costs for Turkish exporters to the U.S. but may also offer opportunities for Turkish firms versus competitors facing steeper tariffs [1]. Trump also unveiled a 15% tariff as part of a new trade deal with South Korea [5].
References:
[1] White House Press Release, "Fact Sheet: President Trump Announces New Tariffs on Turkey and Other Countries," July 31, 2025. [2] CNN, "Trump raises tariffs on Turkey, escalating trade war," July 31, 2025. [3] The Wall Street Journal, "U.S. Imposes Higher Tariffs on Turkish, Canadian Goods," July 31, 2025. [4] The New York Times, "Trump's Tariff War Escalates as He Targets Turkey," July 31, 2025. [5] Reuters, "Trump unveils 15% tariff as part of new trade deal with South Korea," July 31, 2025.
- The increased tariff rate on Turkish imports to the U.S., from 10% to 15%, is part of a larger trade policy overhaul, as announced by the White House.
- The Turkish lira could potentially be affected by the increased U.S. tariffs, given the strong connection between a nation's economy and its currency.
- The increase in tariffs could impact businesses in Istanbul and other Turkish cities, as higher costs for exporters might lead to price hikes or reduced sales.
- With other countries also facing increased tariffs, the broader global economy may be affected by the ongoing trade policies initiated by President Donald Trump.
- Turkey's membership in the European Union, or the goal to achieve it, could play a role in how future negotiations are approached regarding trade deals with the United States and other countries.
- As Russia and Syria are significant economic and political players in the region, the increased tariffs on Turkish goods and the larger trade dispute with the U.S. could have broader implications for geopolitics in Europe and the Middle East.
