In the context of global turbulence and uncertainty, Türkiye’s foreign policy has been reshaped by the growing interconnection of economic and security factors. Free trade agreements (FTAs) have become a key instrument for strengthening strategic autonomy and diversifying external economic relations. This article examines the role of FTAs in Türkiye’s foreign policy, taking into account the institutional constraints of the EU–Türkiye Customs Union and the dynamics of geo-economic competition. The methodological framework is presented by the concept of a trading state. The findings reveal that Türkiye has achieved a high level of trade liberalisation and expansion of partnerships, yet the effectiveness of FTAs is constrained by structural economic imbalances, lack of sustainable policy convergence and geopolitical instability. The discussion emphasizes the dual nature of FTAs: while they enhance export opportunities and diplomatic manoeuvring, they do not ensure long-term structural transformation. The article concludes that Türkiye’s FTAs should be understood less as classical instruments of regional integration than as elements of a broader strategy to reinforce autonomy in a changing world order.