Europe Is Looking for Production – Is Türkiye Ready?
In this article, I wanted to evaluate one of the most important topics on the agenda from the perspective of a manufacturer. I hope all my fellow industrialists, producers and readers will take the time to read it.
Recently, an important decision came from the European Union. In my opinion, it is both a significant and promising development for Türkiye. Let’s take a closer look together.
The European Union’s new industrial policy called “Made in EU” could create an important opportunity for Türkiye.
With this regulation, the European Union plans to give priority to products manufactured in Europe in public projects and government-supported investments. This is exactly where the issue directly concerns Türkiye.
At first glance, this decision may seem like a policy designed only to protect manufacturers within Europe. However, for Türkiye it may carry a much deeper meaning.
Thanks to the Customs Union agreement, some products manufactured in Türkiye may be considered part of the European production system under certain conditions.
This could be one of the most important developments that will allow Turkish industry to remain within the European production and supply chain.
The regulation mainly targets strategic sectors such as electric vehicles, batteries, steel, aluminum, cement and clean technology equipment.
But an important question arises: Why did the European Union take such a decision now?
In recent months, it would not be an exaggeration to say that Europe has started to turn its attention back to Türkiye.
During the German Chancellor’s recent visit to China, the Chinese government demonstrated its massive technological capacity, especially in robotics and advanced manufacturing. This was almost a show of strength.
China’s rapid progress in robotics, artificial intelligence and industrial production capacity is now clearly visible to everyone. Meanwhile, European countries are facing serious structural challenges such as aging populations and a shrinking skilled workforce.
For this reason, one of the main motivations behind the EU’s new policy is to strengthen its industrial capacity and reduce its dependency on China in supply chains.
For some time, leaders in the automotive and industrial sectors have been warning that excluding Türkiye from this new system could create serious risks.
Recently, executives at Ford stated that excluding major production hubs like Türkiye would weaken Europe’s supply chain.
Similarly, the CEO of Tofaş emphasized that keeping Türkiye outside the system could lead to significant export losses for both the main industry and the supplier network.
Therefore, Türkiye’s participation in this system is not only a commercial advantage. It is also crucial for maintaining the production network that has been built between Türkiye and Europe over many years.
From the perspective of financial markets, this regulation may also create new opportunities for Turkish industrial companies exporting to Europe.
As the European Union increasingly requires European-origin production in public procurement, companies producing in Türkiye and exporting to Europe could see a rise in orders.
This could create new momentum particularly in sectors such as automotive, home appliances, electrical equipment, cement and steel.
Companies like Ford Otosan, Tofaş, Arçelik, Vestel and Ereğli Steel, which already have strong export ties with Europe, may benefit from these developments.
Looking at the bigger picture, deeper production integration between Europe and Türkiye could strengthen Türkiye’s industrial power while opening new growth opportunities for exporting companies.
At the same time, this shift reflects a broader global trend. After the pandemic and global trade tensions, countries and economic blocs have started to move production closer to reliable and nearby partners.
This strategy, often described as near-shoring, forms the foundation of Europe’s new industrial policy.
With its strong manufacturing infrastructure and its Customs Union with the European Union, Türkiye could become one of the most important partners in this new production order.
Despite recent slowdowns in export figures, increasing production capacity for Europe could become a major opportunity for Türkiye.
Because every product that is exported with honesty, effort and quality is not only an economic achievement.
It is also a reflection of true patriotism and genuine national pride.
Stay well.
Sıtkı ÇINAR Founder of Mastraıler Tanker Comp