Abstract
Since the 1980s, Turkiye has implemented numerous initiatives to adapt to the global liberalization process following a period of import substitution policies. These initiatives were carried out with the assistance of international organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO). Turkiye officially became a member of the WTO in 1995, expecting that membership would enhance its international trade performance by expanding access to global markets and strengthening trade relationships with other member states. This study aims to analyze the impact of global liberalization on Turkish international trade performance, with a specific focus on exports. The study utilizes panel data analysis of Turkish export data from 1992 to 2020 obtained from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The analysis examines both short-term trends (1992-2000) and long-term trends (1992-2020). Additionally, the study explores the influence of economic freedom indices on shaping Turkiye’s trade performance. The analysis includes Turkish exports to 90 WTO member countries, which are categorized into 48 developed and 42 developing economies. Key independent variables considered include GDP, consumer price indices, exchange rates, and economic freedom indices such as business, trade, and financial freedom. The panel data analysis reveals that Turkiye’s exports to WTO countries experienced growth during the short term (1992-2000) but displayed a declining trend in the long run (1992-2020). Furthermore, data from the Heritage Foundation obtained in 2023 suggest that Turkish exports were negatively impacted by freedom indices post-1996. This study is significant as it sheds light on the various aspects and consequences of trade liberalization, particularly WTO membership, and its effects on a developing economy like Turkiye.
Keywords
freedom index, WTO membership, trade liberalization, post-1980 era
Chinese Abstract
通过国际贸易审视土耳其的自由化进程：1992—2020年土耳其出口数据的面板数据分析
自20世纪80年代以来，土耳其在经历了以进口替代政策时期后，采取了多项举措以适应全球自由化进程。这些举措在世界贸易组织（WTO）等国际组织的协助下实施。土耳其于1995年正式成为WTO成员，期望通过扩大进入全球市场的渠道并强化与其他成员国的贸易关系，从而提升其国际贸易表现。本研究旨在分析全球自由化对土耳其国际贸易表现的影响，重点关注出口。研究采用土耳其统计局提供的1992—2020年出口数据进行面板数据分析，并检视短期趋势（1992—2000年）与长期趋势（1992—2020年）。此外，研究还探讨了经济自由指数对土耳其贸易表现的影响。分析涵盖了土耳其对90个WTO成员国的出口数据，这些国家被划分为48个发达经济体与42个发展中经济体。主要自变量包括国内生产毛额（GDP）、消费价格指数、汇率，以及商业自由、贸易自由和金融自由等经济自由指数。面板数据分析显示，土耳其对WTO国家的出口在短期（1992—2000年）内呈增长态势，但在长期（1992—2020年）中表现出下降趋势。此外，2023年赫瑞特基金会（Heritage Foundation）的数据表明，1996年后自由指数对土耳其出口产生了负面影响。本研究的重要性在于阐明了贸易自由化的多方面后果，特别是加入WTO对像土耳其这样的发展中经济体所带来的影响。
自由指数、WTO成员资格、贸易自由化、后1980年代
ORCID Identifiers
Yasemin Sukran Ucar: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3937-9452
Arzu Kalemci: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2617-2666
DOI
10.5038/2640-6489.10.2.1332
Recommended Citation
Ucar, Y. S., & Kalemci, A. (2025). Examining liberalization of Turkiye through international trade: A panel data analysis of Turkish export figures from 1992 to 2020. Journal of Global Business Insights, 10(2), 108-124. https://www.doi.org/10.5038/2640-6489.10.2.1332
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