Türkiye's exports reached US $136.1 billion in half a year and reached a new high of US $24.94 billion in June. But behind the shiny numbers, the $53.1 billion trade deficit and intensive anti-dumping investigations are drawing an invisible red line for Chinese export companies to comply with trade regulations.

The structural suspense behind 136.1 billion

In the first half of 2026, Türkiye's exports increased by 3.6% year-on-year to US $136.1 billion, and its imports increased by 4.6% to US $189.2 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of US $53.1 billion. In June, the export of Türkiye in a single month was 24.94 billion US dollars, a year-on-year increase of 21.9%, a record high in the same period of history, and ranked third in the history of Turkey's export in a single month. Germany ranked first among export destinations with 1.97 billion US dollars, followed closely by the United States with 1.54 billion US dollars and Italy with 1.36 billion US dollars.

On the import side, China remained the largest source country with 5.28 billion US dollars, followed by Russia and Germany. More noteworthy is the rolling 12-month data as of June - goods exports reached 278 billion US dollars, total exports of goods and services exceeded 400 billion US dollars for the first time, and manufacturing accounted for 93.7%.

The EU remains Türkiye's largest trading partner, with exports of US $10.74 billion and imports of US $10.49 billion in June. The negotiation on the upgrading of the customs union has been officially launched, but it needs the unanimous authorization of the member states. At present, no consensus has been reached.

From photovoltaic modules to solar glass

Although the export data is bright, Türkiye's trade remedy measures are tightening at the same time. On June 24, 2026, Türkiye made a final antidumping determination on the Huaguang Volt aluminum frame. Six enterprises including Jiangsu Yuejia were levied 38.26% antidumping duty, while other enterprises were up to 45.99%, far exceeding the 14.79% to 31.40% of the initial determination.

Only five days later, on June 19, Türkiye launched an anti-dumping investigation on solar glass from China, Malaysia and Vietnam, with the dumping investigation period from October 2024 to September 2025. Back in the past, Türkiye's containment of China PV has lasted for ten years - from anti-dumping duties of 20 to 25 dollars/㎡ for PV modules in 2016, to five countries including Vietnam and Malaysia in 2024, and to the junction box and aluminum frame at the same time in 2025, Türkiye is extending trade barriers from modules to the whole industrial chain. Keywords: export trade, photovoltaics

For Chinese enterprises wishing to enter the European market through Türkiye, this path is becoming thorny - trade compliance has changed from an optional question to a must answer question.Editor/Cheng Liting