Politics
⚠️Report/Rumor: Trump May Seek Access to Turkey’s Rare Earth Reserves
Ahead of his September 25 meeting with President Erdoğan, U.S. media report that Donald Trump could push for access to Turkey’s rare earth reserves in Eskişehir’s Beylikova district—the world’s second largest after China. The minerals, vital for defense, aerospace, and clean energy, are currently being developed by state-owned Eti Maden. Analysts see U.S. interest as part of a wider effort to diversify supply chains away from China, which dominates global production and processing.
📰 AKP Provincial Chair Resignations Continue: Erdoğan to Make Final Decision
Following the resignation of eight provincial chairs in just three days, the AKP has reportedly launched a comprehensive review of all provincial leaderships. According to insider reports, a five-step process will guide the selection of new chairs, including local surveys, consultations with NGOs and political actors, and input from business circles, culminating in interviews with three candidates per province. The final decision will rest with President and AKP leader Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The process is expected to conclude before an upcoming provincial chairs meeting planned for early October.
🗳️ Özel on Bayrampaşa Vote: “Justice Prevailed in the Draw”
CHP leader Özgür Özel commented on the contested Bayrampaşa deputy mayoral election, which followed the arrest of CHP mayor Hasan Mutlu. After four tied rounds, a draw was held, resulting in CHP’s İbrahim Kahraman being selected. Özel framed the outcome as a victory against political interference, arguing that attempts to weaken CHP through arrests had failed and that the draw ensured the people’s will was upheld. He added that the result also carries weight for the legal status of the detained mayor.
📜 Turkey Lifts Additional Tariffs on U.S. Imports
A presidential decree published in the Official Gazette on September 22 removed the extra tariffs imposed on a wide range of U.S. products since 2018. The decision, signed by President Erdoğan, ends additional duties on items such as automobiles, cosmetics, plastics, tobacco, and paper goods, a move expected to lower import costs and ease consumer prices in affected categories.
🗳️ Özgür Özel Re-Elected as CHP Leader at Emergency Congress: “CHP Stands United Against Attacks”
At the party’s 22nd Extraordinary Congress, convened in response to a lawsuit against its 38th Ordinary Congress, Özgür Özel was re-elected as CHP chair for the third time with 835 of 917 votes. Speaking to delegates, Özel declared that “CHP is united against attacks,” framing the lawsuit and arrests of party mayors as attempts to undermine the opposition. The congress, held under the banner “No to Coups and Trustees”, featured symbolic displays for jailed CHP mayors and candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu, with party members rallying around a message of resistance to government pressure and reaffirming unity ahead of the next regular congress.
⚠️Second Hearing in Bolu Kartalkaya Fire Trial: Families Confront Detained Hotel Owners
The trial over the Grand Kartal Hotel fire in Bolu Kartalkaya, which killed 78 people and injured 133 in January, continued with its second hearing. Families of victims reacted angrily as detained defendants, including hotel owner Halit Ergül, were brought into the courtroom. Prosecutors are seeking sentences of up to 1,950 years for seven defendants on charges of “murder with probable intent,” while also calling for penalties against other managers, staff, and local officials for negligence. Meanwhile, an administrative court ruling has opened the way for investigations into ministry officials alleged to share responsibility for the disaster.
Economy
🚗 Turkey Imposes New Additional Tariffs on Imported Cars
A presidential decree published in the Official Gazette introduces new additional tariffs on passenger car imports, including hybrid and electric vehicles, from countries outside the EU and free trade partners. The measure, aimed at protecting domestic production and jobs, sets tariffs of 25–30% or fixed dollar amounts per vehicle, whichever is higher. The decision will take effect in two months, allowing for a transition period on ongoing import transactions.
📉 Consumer Confidence in Turkey Declines in September, TÜİK Reports
According to data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the consumer confidence index fell from 84.3 in August to 83.9 in September, a 0.4% decline. The index, which ranges from 0 to 200, signals optimism when above 100 and pessimism when below. Sub-index analysis shows a 3.2% drop in households’ current financial situation, while expectations for the next 12 months slightly improved by 0.2% to 84. However, the general economic outlook for the coming year fell by 0.5% to 78, and intentions to spend on durable goods rose 0.9% to 105.7.