Trump to soon issue sanctions, stop trade deal, and ratchet up tariffs on Turkey

Trump to soon issue sanctions, stop trade deal, and ratchet up tariffs on Turkey
October 15, 2019, 10:16 am

President Trump will halt trade negotiations with Turkey, reimpose steel tariffs. (File photo AFP)

President Donald Trump on Monday said that in response to Turkey’s military operation in Syria he will soon issue an executive order authorizing sanctions against current and former Turkish officials, stop negotiations with Turkey on a $100 billion trade deal, and boost tariffs on Turkish steel to 50 percent.

In a statement in which he vowed to swiftly destroy the Turkish economy if it continues down “this dangerous and destructive path,” Trump also said that US troops coming out of Syria will redeploy and remain in the region to monitor the situation.

“I will soon be issuing an Executive Order authorizing the imposition of sanctions against current and former officials of the Governemnt of Turkey and any persons contributing to Turkey’s destabilizing actions in northEast Syria,” President Trump said in a tweet.

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1183833640507269120

He added in his statement “Since my first day in office, the Trump Administration has worked tirelessly to preserve the safety and security of the United States and its citizens. The United States and our partners have liberated 100 percent of ISIS’s ruthless territorial caliphate. Turkey must not put these gains in jeopardy. Turkey must also prioritize the protection of civilians, particularly vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities in northeast Syria. Indiscriminate targeting of civilians, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and targeting of ethnic or religious minorities is unacceptable. Additionally, the return of refugees must be conducted in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner.”

“Turkey’s military offensive is endangering civilians, and threatening peace, security, and stability in the region. I have been perfectly clear with President Erdogan: Turkey’s action is precipitating a humanitarian crisis and setting conditions for possible war crimes. Turkey must ensure the safety of civilians, including religious and ethnic minorities, and is now, or may be in the future, responsible for the ongoing detention of ISIS terrorists in the region. Unfortunately, Turkey does not appear to be mitigating the humanitarian effects of its invasion,” read the statement.

President Trump said “I am fully prepared to swiftly destroy Turkey’s economy if Turkish leaders continue down this dangerous and destructive path.”

source:Reuters

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