Erdogan: Türkiye Not Expecting Negative Trade, Export Situation After Tariffs 

Containers ship Hornise sails across the Bosphorus strait, on its way from China's Jingtang port to Russia's Novorossiysk port, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP)
Containers ship Hornise sails across the Bosphorus strait, on its way from China's Jingtang port to Russia's Novorossiysk port, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP)
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Erdogan: Türkiye Not Expecting Negative Trade, Export Situation After Tariffs 

Containers ship Hornise sails across the Bosphorus strait, on its way from China's Jingtang port to Russia's Novorossiysk port, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP)
Containers ship Hornise sails across the Bosphorus strait, on its way from China's Jingtang port to Russia's Novorossiysk port, in Istanbul, Türkiye, Tuesday, April 8, 2025. (AP)

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said that Türkiye is not expecting a negative situation for its trade, production and exports as a result of US President Donald Trump's tariffs, which went into effect on Wednesday.

Türkiye is among the economies that escaped with the lowest "reciprocal" US tariff of 10% and is viewed as being among a handful of countries emerging as potential winners.

In a speech to his ruling AK Party lawmakers, Erdogan said Türkiye’s economic program had made it resilient to external shocks and that it expected stronger economic growth in the medium to long term compared to peer countries.

"There is serious uncertainty in the world, but there is a strong economic program that illuminates Türkiye’s path," Erdogan said. "We think that we will overcome this period more easily than many countries since we are one of the low-tariff countries."

He added that Türkiye’s disinflation process was continuing and that the spending discipline and savings measures which the government initiated last year will continue this year.

Türkiye, whose iron, steel and aluminium exports took a hit from earlier US tariffs, now stands to benefit as other global traders endure even higher levies.



Japan PM Ishiba Says Disagreements Remain with US on Tariff Talks 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2025. (AFP)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2025. (AFP)
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Japan PM Ishiba Says Disagreements Remain with US on Tariff Talks 

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2025. (AFP)
Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a press conference at the conclusion of the Group of Seven (G7) Summit in Calgary, Alberta, Canada on June 17, 2025. (AFP)

Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said his country has not reached a comprehensive tariff agreement with the United States as some disagreements persist between the two nations.

Ishiba, talking to reporters after the Group of Seven leaders' summit in Canada on Tuesday, emphasized the importance of securing a trade deal that benefits both countries while safeguarding Japan's national interests.

Ishiba, who was at his first G7 summit as prime minister, held tariff talks US President Donald Trump on Monday, but the meeting ended without an agreement to lower or eliminate the 25% tariff Trump has imposed on Japanese auto imports.

Ishiba said US tariff measures were impacting the earnings of many Japanese companies, including those in the automobile sector, while causing a significant impact on the global economy.

"Both Japan and the United States have continued sincere discussions, exploring the possibility of an agreement until the last moment," he said. But Ishiba added there still remain points of disagreement between the two sides.

Ishiba's news conference in Calgary, Canada was held following a gathering of G7 leaders at the nearby Kananaskis mountain resort in the Canadian Rockies.

Ishiba also met other leaders for bilateral talks including his first meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The Japanese leader also discussed security relations with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung before heading back to Tokyo.

The summit ended without a joint statement of support from the group for Ukraine after US President Donald Trump expressed support for Russian President Vladimir Putin and left the event a day early to address the Israel-Iran conflict.

On the Middle East, Ishiba said he had told G7 leaders that Iran's nuclear development was "never tolerable", while stressing the importance of diplomatic efforts through dialogue.

Ishiba will participate in the NATO Summit in the Netherlands next week, he added.