October 12, 2026

How can Türkiye and China build more balanced economic ties?

Ahmet Faruk Işık and Zhiqiang Zou

“A sustainable solution for trade imbalance requires stronger Turkish exports, reciprocal market access and productive Chinese investment.”

In this op-ed for Daily Sabah, ChinaMed Research Fellow Ahmet Faruk Işık and Zhiqiang Zou (Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Fudan University) acknowledge the persistent trade deficit between Türkiye and China but argue that it should be addressed through stronger Turkish exports, improved market access and productive Chinese investment rather than protectionism alone.

With the support of

This project is realized with the support of the Unit for Analysis, Policy Planning and Historical Documentation - Directorate General for Political Affairs and International Security of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, in accordance with Article 23 ‒ bis of the Decree of the President of the Italian Republic 18/1967.
The views expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views ofthe Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

Published with the support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation pursuant to art. 23-bis of Presidential Decree 18/1967. The views expressed in this publication are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.

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