The Secret to Better U.S.-Turkey Relations
Improving trade with Turkey could bring the estranged ally back into Washington’s fold.
Eli LovelyBarın Kayaoğlu
January 7, 2016
For the United States, the recent meltdown in Turkish-Russian relations creates an opportunity. After Turkey shot down Russia’s warplane on November 24 and Moscow imposed sanctions on Ankara, U.S. and Turkish businesses are now in a position to sell to each other what the Turks can no longer trade with Russia. Washington could leverage the prospective increase in U.S.-Turkish commerce to bring its NATO ally back into the Western fold.
Some might question the wisdom in using trade to improve diplomacy with Turkey before Turkish leaders recommit to democratic reforms or double down against ISIS in Syria. But that would miss one big point: U.S.-Turkey relations traditionally have mirrored their trade ties.
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