As tensions between Riyadh and Ankara continue, the Turkish Minister of Commerce announced a complaint against Saudi Arabia at the World Trade Organization.
A Turkish newspaper reported that Ankara had filed a complaint against Saudi Arabia with the World Trade Organization.
The Turkish newspaper Sabah (Istanbul Sabah Gazetesi) wrote: Ankara has lodged a complaint with the World Trade Organization over the imposition of sanctions on Turkish goods in Saudi Arabia, informing the organization of Saudi actions that restrict trade relations between the country and Turkey.
“Arab 21” newspaper published a report citing a report published in the Turkish daily Sabah, and wrote that Turkey also asked the Saudi authorities to clear the containers of goods suspended in customs as soon as possible.
According to the report, Turkey has simultaneously taken two steps against the Saudis who have unofficially boycotted Turkish goods, and at the same time complained to the World Trade Organization about three letters to Saudi Trade Minister Majid bin Abdullah Al-Qasbi. Saudi Arabia has expressed outrage over the mistreatment of Turkish exporters and products, calling for an end to the abuses.
The daily quotes Turkish Trade Minister Rokhsar Pekjan as saying that since November 15, 2020, Saudi Arabia has suspended several products imported from Turkey, including eggs, milk, white meat, etc., and many Turkish goods have been suspended at Saudi customs.
According to the minister, Turkish advisers and affiliates in Saudi Arabia have taken the necessary steps to clear the goods, and Saudi officials have decided to return some of the goods to the country of origin (Turkey). But Saudi officials continue to be negative about Turkish exports.
He added that he had sent three letters to his Saudi counterpart on July 17, 2020, October 5, 2020 and January 22, 2021, expressing Turkey’s dissatisfaction with the mistreatment of Turkish companies.
Pekjan further explained that in response to him, the Saudi Minister of Commerce claimed that the strategy to guarantee free trade with all trading partners was based on international obligations and that there was no discrimination against Turkey.
The Turkish Minister of Commerce stated that the necessary measures have been taken and that this issue and all restrictive measures taken by Saudi Arabia against Turkish trade have been referred to the World Trade Organization to provide a solution to this problem. The issue is also on the agenda of the next meeting of the organization, which will be held in March, and Ankara will continue its efforts to pursue its rights within the framework of the World Trade Organization.
Turkey’s exports to Saudi Arabia fell 93.7 percent last March to $ 18.9 million from $ 298.2 million a year earlier, according to figures released by the Turkish Exporters Association.
Relations between Ankara and Riyadh have been strained for several years. This blurring of relations gradually escalated from the events of 2011 (the Arab revolutions) and culminated in the failed coup in 2016 in Turkey. This was further demonstrated in the case of the assassination of Jamal Khashgechi, a Saudi journalist killed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Recently, Riyadh, with the help of the media and personalities close to it in the Arab world, launched a campaign to boycott Turkish goods.
A few months ago, the President of Turkey, in a virtual meeting of the G20 group hosted by Saudi Arabia, congratulated Riyadh for the successful management of the summit and called for the strengthening of relations between the two countries. Experts say Turkey needs to improve relations with Riyadh after the devaluation of the lira and the consequences for its economy, as well as any possible consequences during Joe Biden’s presidency.