- 'Türkiye’s strong entrepreneurial base and strategic position make it a natural partner in shaping practical, business-driven solutions to global trade challenges,' says Valerie Picard

ISTANBUL

The global trading system is facing uncertainties like never seen before amid tariffs and protectionist policies, the head of trade at the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) told Anadolu.

Valerie Picard stated that renewed protectionism and hyper-politicization of trade policies further fueled the uncertainties, pressuring the business world.

“What we’re hearing across our network is clear: the greatest challenge is no longer just complexity and cost—it’s unpredictability,” she said.

“That’s why ICC is advocating for a fundamental revitalization of the World Trade Organization, anchored in its founding purpose,” she noted. “We’re calling for urgent progress focused on restoring a functioning dispute settlement system, updating trade rules to reflect today’s economy—from digital trade to services—and reinforcing transparency and cooperation.”

Picard emphasized that bilateral and regional deals can provide benefits like deeper integration between partners and faster progress on issues. While these come with positives, she said such agreements can also lead to further fractures, deepening global fragmentation when they are not aligned with multilateral rules.

“This is exactly why reinvigorating multilateral rulemaking is essential,” she said. “The global economy needs a baseline of clear, coherent, and non-discriminatory rules. Without that foundation, trade becomes harder to navigate, especially for smaller firms and those in developing countries.”

Picard stated that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are the lifeblood of the economy, but they face the largest challenges in trade, such as limited access to financing and information and regulatory compliance.

She emphasized that “supporting SMEs is central” to the ICC’s mission, as 70% of their global membership is based in developing countries.

“One of our flagship initiatives is the Digital Standards Initiative (DSI), which promotes a globally harmonized digital trade environment. By standardizing documentation and processes, DSI helps lower entry barriers and enables more SMEs to engage in cross-border trade,” she said.

“Through the Global Alliance for Trade Facilitation, we work with developing countries to implement the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which can significantly reduce costs and delays at borders. These reforms are especially critical for SMEs that lack the capacity to navigate complex procedures,” she noted. “We also advocate for greater SME participation in Authorized Economic Operator (AEO) programs—trusted trader schemes that offer faster and more predictable border clearance but remain underutilized by small firms.”

ICC encourages Turkish chambers of commerce to join

Picard stated that countries like Türkiye can “leverage ICC,” saying that the “first port of entry” is the ICC Türkiye, the chamber’s local committee.

“Local membership provides access not only to ICC’s global tools and standards but also participates actively in ICC’s global policy and rule-shaping work—this includes everything from trade documentation to policy input at institutions like the WTO and the World Customs Organization. It helps ensure national priorities are reflected globally,” she said.

She emphasized that Turkish chambers of commerce are encouraged to be a part of the ICC World Chambers Federation, which brings together chambers from over 100 countries.

“More broadly, we are always looking to strengthen public-private collaboration with countries like Türkiye, whether on trade facilitation, digitalization, or sustainability,” she noted. “Türkiye’s strong entrepreneurial base and strategic position make it a natural partner in shaping practical, business-driven solutions to global trade challenges.”

Picard maintained that revitalizing the global trade system will require “going beyond high-level declarations.”

“It urgently requires both political will to engage constructively and technical work to translate vision into reality,” she said.

“At ICC, we’re encouraging governments to come together to move the system forward, and we’re focused on supporting reforms that are grounded in business realities and designed to deliver practical outcomes,” she added. “Türkiye, with its dynamic business community and strategic position, has an important role to play in shaping that future.”