- President Donald Trump’s latest broadside against Turkey comes amid conflicts over defense policy and the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson.
- The Turkish lira was also reeling as Trump doubled tariffs on imports of Turkish steel and aluminum.
- Members of Congress and the Trump administration have objected to Turkey’s plan to use a Russian missile defense system.
President Donald Trump‘s move Friday to double metals tariffs on Turkey is only his latest jab against the NATO ally that stems from disagreements over defense policy and the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson.
Trump came into office seeking better relations with Turkey. But as Trump announced his plans to hike tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum to 50 percent and 20 percent, respectively, he acknowledged that “our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!”
In a tweet Friday, the president said he would levy tariffs as “their currency, the Turkish Lira, slides rapidly downward against our very strong Dollar!” The already-reeling currency plunged even more Friday, dropping 20 percent after Trump’s tweet.
The White House later tried to clarify Trump’s tweet, saying in a statement that he “authorized the preparation of documents to raise tariffs” on metals imports from Turkey.
Late Thursday, and before Trump’s tweet, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he would stand up to pressure from the United States. https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/10/why-trump-is-attacking-turkey-with-sanctions-and-tariffs.html
