Trump doubles tariffs on Turkish imports after Syria’s incursion
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President Trump said on Monday that he was halting trade negotiations with Turkey and doubling tariffs on imports of Turkish steel as he tried to rein in Turkey’s incursion into Syria, an invasion that he himself had cleared the way for a week ago.
The New York Times reports that Trump said he was increasing steel tariffs on Turkey to 50 percent from 25 percent and warned that additional economic sanctions were coming. The United States had imposed a 50 percent steel tariff on Turkey last year after the Turkish government refused to release an American pastor who was being held on espionage charges.
“The United States will aggressively use economic sanctions to target those who enable, facilitate and finance these heinous acts in Syria,” Mr. Trump said in a statement. “I am fully prepared to swiftly destroy Turkey’s economy if Turkish leaders continue down this dangerous and destructive path.”
After Mr. Trump gave Turkey a green light for the invasion a week ago by withdrawing some American troops from northern Syria, his decision now to raise tariffs represents another swing in the relationship, which has been on a roller coaster since he took office. His decision to impose the steep steel tariffs in 2018 spooked markets and sent Turkey’s currency, the lira, tumbling.
