Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey

Hisarcıklıoğlu, in the United States to attended various meetings with his delegation, attended the opening of the restaurant, “Turkitch,” in Chicago, the first stop of his itinerary.

the restaurant's opening ribbon was cut by Hisarcıklıoğlu and the restaurant's Turkish entrepreneurs partners, Cihan Çömez and Özkan Yılmaz, as well as Turkey's Consul General to Chicago, Umut Acar.

Hisarcıklıoğlu, speaking in regards to their US meetings, that the Chicago itinerary is composed of two parts: “First of all, we opened the restaurant called Turkitch which was founded by Turkish entrepreneurs in order to introduce Turkish cuisine in the most original form of Turkish cuisine with their real names in Chicago. As TOBB, as a part of our agreement with the Ministry of Commerce, we will most conduct inspections at the Turkish Trade Center which will most likely be built in Chicago.”

After his meetings in Chicago, Hisarcıklıoğlu stated that they would move on to Washington with the delegation accompanying him.

Referring to the recent development of Turkish-American economic relations, Hisarcıklıoğlu said, “We are particularly pleased that the tax rates in iron-steel have been brought to the former levels.”

- 75 billion USD trade volume target

M. Rifat Hisarcıklıoğlu stating that there is a 75 billion USD trade volume goal set by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and US President Donald Trump between the two countries, said, “How are we to reach this target if amenities cease? That is why an FTA should be singed between Turkey and the US.”

Hisarcıklıoğlu reported that they’ve voiced the same demand to US Assistant Secretary of State David Mealea who visited Turkey.

Hisarcıklıoğlu on questions about S-400s, “That is a political matter and outside my purview, however Turkey has worked to acquire the Patriot system defend itself from external threats for years. It was the US who would not sell it. It is only natural for Turkey to defend herself and her population.”

Turkey's Consul General in Chicago Acar expressed great pleasure in Chicago attaining a Turkish restaurant with a new concept, noted that Turkish as well as Americans showed great interest in the opening.