Not all countries are able (or willing) to take sides in the increasingly tense US-China rivalry and this might create new opportunities to increase the EU’s competitiveness. Against this backdrop, this CEPS Policy Brief critically examines Turkey-China relations within the broader context of Turkey’s foreign policy evolution under the Justice and Development (AKP) government and the global shift towards multialignment. It challenges the perception – common in EU circles – that Turkey is strategically pivoting towards China.
To help the EU better navigate its relationship with Turkey, it should start by undertaking two policy actions, namely including Turkey in its wider China strategy and the Global Gateway. This would include the European Commission taking the lead in mapping Turkey’s strategic supply chain exposure to identify overlapping areas of dependence or opportunity with the EU, as well as launching joint programmes with Turkish stakeholders to anticipate and manage Chinese expansion in key sectors, and to better engage Turkish civil society to reinforce EU values. Promoting a values-based bilateral relationship to counterbalance China’s influence would also help the EU’s quest for competitiveness and its security goals.
