The Role of Commercial Diplomacy and Turkey in the Reshaping of Global Supply Chains in a Multipolar World
Chapter from the book:
Bardakçı,
H.
(ed.)
2025.
Modern Studies in International Trade and Logistics.
Synopsis
This section examines the reasons behind the recent transformation in global supply chains and how Turkey can achieve a strategic position in this process through commercial diplomacy. Developments such as the 2008 global financial crisis, the US–China trade war, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Russia–Ukraine War have shifted the world economy from a unipolar structure to a multipolar order. In this new order, economic and logistical balances have been reshaped between the axes of Asia, the West, and the Global South. The study discusses the effects of this transformation on economic security, technology transfer, energy supply, and logistics networks. Commercial diplomacy has been defined as a multidimensional tool encompassing not only inter-state negotiations but also private sector and civil society interactions. Turkey's activities within the framework of the Customs Union, Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), the Middle Corridor, and the Organisation of Turkic States demonstrate that commercial diplomacy has become a strategic foreign policy tool. In the Methodology section, Turkey's sectoral export structure, logistics performance index (LPI), STA network, economic resilience indicators and foreign trade data have been analysed comparatively. The findings reveal that Turkey has significant advantages thanks to its young workforce, geostrategic location and logistics infrastructure; however, it also has weaknesses such as macroeconomic instability, energy dependence and a lack of digital transformation. The discussion section emphasises Turkey's bridging role, the management of geopolitical risks, institutional capacity deficiencies, and the importance of digitalisation. Furthermore, energy diplomacy policies and regional cooperation (particularly with Central Asia and the South Caucasus) are assessed as strategic tools that could enhance Turkey's effectiveness in supply chains. In conclusion, it is stated that in order for Turkey to achieve sustainable competitiveness in global supply chains, it must focus not only on its geographical advantage but also on innovation, digitalisation, green transformation, and human resource investments. Strengthening regional cooperation, energy security, digital infrastructure, and the establishment of an institutional commercial diplomacy structure have been presented as prerequisites for Turkey to become a permanent logistics and production centre in a multipolar world order.
