Turkey to Begin Negotiations with U.S. Over Tariffs and Halkbank Case: VP Yılmaz

In response to the recently announced tariffs by U.S. President Donald Trump, Turkish Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz revealed that Ankara will initiate a negotiation process with Washington. Speaking at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum to Bloomberg, Yılmaz emphasized that resolving the Halkbank legal case will also be a key component of the discussions.

Yılmaz expressed optimism that the positive momentum in U.S.-Turkey relations will contribute to progress on longstanding issues, including the Halkbank lawsuit. “We’ve been asserting our rightful stance on this matter for many years. President Erdoğan and former President Trump discussed this on several occasions. We expect these issues to be taken up again, both at the leadership and technical levels,” he said.

“Resolution Would Benefit Both Nations”

According to Yılmaz, resolving these disputes would be beneficial for both NATO allies. “Our expectation is to leave these issues behind so we can focus on broader agendas in trade, defense, and diplomacy. We believe this would serve the best interest of both countries,” he stated.

Economic Assessment Underway

In response to Trump’s new tariffs, Yılmaz noted that Turkish officials are conducting a comprehensive impact analysis and will review the findings in the upcoming Economic Coordination Board meeting.

Market Reaction: HALKB Shares Surge

Following the announcement, Halkbank (HALKB) shares rallied sharply, climbing over 7%, reflecting investor optimism over a possible resolution of the case that has weighed on U.S.-Turkey financial relations for years.