A new roadmap for relations between Turkey, European Union, and the United Kingdom within the framework of the modernization of the European Union-Turkey Customs Union

In the last century, the importance of foreign trade, net exports of goods and services in achieving balanced and high-quality economic growth has become increasingly apparent. This also applies to Turkey. For example, the Eleventh Development Plan prepared for the 2019-2023 period was determined within the framework of a stable export-based growth model, in which the industrial sector played a dominant role, focusing on productivity. Recently, the modernization of the EU-Turkey Customs Union and the new trade regime between Turkey and the United Kingdom after Brexit have been included among the fundamental subjects within the agenda of Turkish foreign trade. While one of these countries does not want to lose its position as a candidate country despite the obstacles and disagreements by the European Union in the negotiation mechanism, the other has managed to leave the EU as a result of a very intense and complex process that lasted approximately thirty-four months. The present study concentrates on the trade cooperation and/or economic integration model that will last between two countries that share deep-rooted trade links in the light of the technical knowledge, experience, and lessons taken from the Customs Union by Turkey. Additionally, the findings and comments obtained at the end of the survey we conducted among Turkish companies in different sectors that export to the United Kingdom for the year 2019 will also shed light on the relations of two deep-rooted partners in the next term.