US Imposes Additional Tariffs on Turkish Olive Oil Imports
· GıdaTarım
The United States has imposed an additional 12.5% customs duty on olives and olive oil imported from Turkey, prompting sector representatives to call for urgent diplomatic initiatives to end unfair competition.
Additional Customs Duty and Unfair Competition
The United States has begun applying an additional 12.5% tariff on olive and olive oil products to be imported from Turkey, on top of the existing basic customs duty. Evaluating the decision, Emre Uygun, Chairman of the Aegean Olive and Olive Oil Exporters' Association (EZZİB), stated that Turkey has been pushed into the most disadvantageous position, given that Tunisia is exempt and the European Union faces a 10% tariff.
EZZİB Chairman Emre Uygun expressed his reaction to the decision with the following words:
"We are continuing the necessary initiatives to correct the unfair competitive conditions that have arisen against Turkey. The biggest injustice in this new tax package is the privileges granted to Turkey's biggest competitors in the global market. With this new tariff application, Turkey, as a supplier and producer country, has unfortunately been placed in the most disadvantageous position. It is unacceptable that while the EU faces a 10% tax, Turkey is subjected to a 12.5% tax."
Efforts to Protect Export Market Before Harvest
Facing the risk of the US market, which is the sector's largest buyer, being blocked, EZZİB Vice Chairman Davut Er called for urgent diplomatic steps:
"Our Ministry needs to stop this situation immediately."
Reminding that the US market, with an annual purchasing capacity approaching Turkey's total production, should not be lost, Davut Er shared his assessment emphasizing the importance of contacts:
"We need this large market because a strong harvest is expected in the new season. Initiatives have been undertaken and letters have been written to the Ministry of Trade and the government to resolve the issue. The Ministry also shares the same concern with the exporters on this matter. This problem must be urgently resolved through initiatives undertaken with the US Departments of Commerce and Treasury, and the tariff must be lifted."