The actions of US President Donald Trump have rocked the markets. The most severe declines have been experienced since the Covid pandemic. Rising customs barriers pose a threat to countries. The Turkish business world assessed these developments. Global markets experienced the biggest crash in years. The fuse in the markets was ignited by Donald Trump raising import duties worldwide. As asset prices plummeted, the response from China increased concerns. China announced that it would respond to the US with the same tax rate. Wall Street fell over 10% in two days, erasing 6 trillion dollars. Sales spread to the world at the beginning of the new week. Asian stock markets lost around 10% in one day. While the US started applying tariffs ranging from 10% to 50% on goods imported from many trading partners, it was announced that a 10% customs duty would be imposed on some countries including Turkey, the UK, Brazil, Australia, the United Arab Emirates, New Zealand, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The business world assessed the potential opportunities that could arise for Turkey after Trump’s customs tariffs. “WE NEED TO DETERMINE PRODUCT AND COMPETITION STRATEGIES” Istanbul Chamber of Commerce (ITO) Chairman Şekib Avdagiç pointed out that the Turkish business world could evaluate the country’s inclusion in the 10% tariff group, stating, “For this, our business world needs to analyze Trump’s customs duties without delay and determine product and competition strategies accordingly. In summary, our business world should turn Trump’s tariffs into an opportunity for Turkey.” The President of the Istanbul Chamber of Industry (ISO), Erdal Bahçıvan, stated that Turkey would improve its competitive conditions both in investment and foreign trade, mentioning that a strategic study revealing sectoral opportunities is needed. Bahçıvan emphasized the necessity of working hard to make smart moves and take advantage of this historic opportunity to excel in competition. “WE NEED TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE OPPORTUNITY” General President Orhan Aydın of the Anatolian Lions Businessmen Association (ASKON) stated that the additional 10% tax imposed on Turkey made the country more competitive when compared with other rates. Aydın expressed that all sectors of the business world, especially exporters’ unions, need to be vigilant to increase sales to America, particularly by increasing the number of fairs and events in the region. Aydın also mentioned that Turkish brands increasing their presence in this region would be an advantage, saying, “With the current advantage, many of our brands will increase their presence in American cities with high tourist traffic. Another advantage is that, due to high tax rates in the US market, countries with high production capacity may consider Turkey as an investment hub in search of new markets.” “WE CAN INCREASE EXPORTS IN SOME SECTORS” President Gürkan Yıldırım of the Turkish Young Businessmen’s Association (TÜGİAD) stated that looking at exports, high taxes that the US might apply to China and the EU could reduce imports from these areas, potentially creating a potential for Turkey to increase its exports to the US in some sectors. Yıldırım also pointed out that from an investment perspective, high taxes imposed on China, the EU, and Far East countries could lead some companies in these regions to shift their production to other countries. In such a situation, if Turkey provides a favorable investment climate, it can attract investments from these companies.