Ruhsar Pekcan
Turkey will never avoid protecting Turkish firms from unfair treatment by the U.S., Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said Wednesday.
Speaking at the Turkey-Africa trade and economic relations consultation meeting in capital Ankara, Pekcan said Turkey will continue to take necessary steps to counter the U.S. moves.
"We have doubled tariffs on 22 products coming from the U.S., responding to the recent U.S. sanctions with additional tariffs worth $533 million last night," the minister said.
A platform of 290 Turkish non-governmental organizations has voiced its support for the Turkish government against the recent U.S. sanctions on the country.In a declaration issued on Tuesday, the National Will Platform called for unity and solidarity in the face of “economic attacks.”“We respectfully announce to the public our steadfast support for our government and president amid this economic war against our country,” the declaration read.Turkish foreign minister praises Turkish AirlinesTurkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on two government ministers for not releasing Brunson, who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.The platform accused the U.S. of attempting to interfere in Turkey’s “judiciary by imposing economic sanctions and manipulating exchange rates.”President Donald Trump on Friday ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports.The platform has called on Turkish citizens to remain calm and confident in the face of economic hardship.Turkey doesn't want economic war with US, but wont stay silent: presidential aideBusiness community backs Turkish economyTurkey's budget records $237 million surplus in July
Group of Turkish NGOs voices support for government
The U.S. is an important trading partner of Turkey but it is not the only one; our country has several partners and alternative markets, Pekcan said.
American President Donald Trump announced on Aug. 10 the U.S. was doubling aluminium and steel import tariffs on Turkey, fixing them at 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
Turkey has increased tariffs on several U.S.-origin products, including alcohol and tobacco products and cars, according to a new presidential decree published early Wednesday in the official gazette.
Turkish President Tayyip Erdoğan's spokesman said on Wednesday he expected problems with the United States to be resolved but Washington must stop trying to influence Turkey's judiciary.İbrahim Kalın stated that Turkey didn't want an economic war with the U.S., but that staying silent when it was being attacked was out of the question.Ibrahim Kalın also told a news conference that Turkey would exercise its rights if the U.S. does not deliver F-35 jets to Ankara. The lira, which has rallied after hitting a record low of 7.24 to the dollar, would continue to recover, he said.World leaders slam Trump’s sanctions, express support for Turkey"There were no talks planned between President Erdoğan and President Donald Trump", Kalın added.Kalın also said a news conference that Turkey will take a positive stance towards trading in national currencies to escape from U.S. dollar pressure.Ibrahim Kalin also expressed Turkey's “deep disappointment” over the U.S. stance on the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson and said “If we are to mention any disappointment, we can say that Turkey is experiencing a deep disappointment in terms of its national interests,” to reporters at a weekly press briefing at the Presidential complex in capital Ankara.Turkey's doubling tariffs on US products will amount to $533 mln: Trade MinisterHis remarks came after the White House spokeswoman expressed Washington’s “frustration” regarding the Brunson case.Sarah Sanders said: “Certainly the President has a great deal of frustration on the fact that Pastor Brunson has not been released, as well as the fact that other U.S. citizens and employees of diplomatic facilities have not been released.“And we’re going to continue to call on Turkey to do the right thing and release those individuals,” she added.Criticizing the U.S. administration, Kalin said: “As they are taking relations with Turkey to a breaking point for one pastor, we have yet to see either the Obama or the Trump administration take any concrete steps towards Turkey’s rightful and urgent national security matters.”Turkey limits installment plans for credit cards, loansTurkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions over the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is under house arrest in Turkey over terrorism charges.Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.
Turkey doesn't want economic war with US, but wont stay silent: presidential aide
Pekcan added trade and economy should not be affected by political reactions.
She called for economic cooperations instead of a world with trade wars.
She said increasing Turkish investments in Africa remains one of the priorities for the government.
"We see great potential in this field. We will continue our joint works on increasing economic prosperity and employment," Pekcan said.
The Turkey-Africa Economic and Business Forum will be held in Istanbul on Oct. 10-11.
The Turkish public, institutions and organizations have rallied behind Turkey’s economy to counter the economic war initiated by the United States which sparked speculative rises in currency. As the government takes the necessary steps, citizens have exchanged their foreign currency holdings into the Turkish lira. A slew of support messages streamed in from the business community, calling the Turkish economy strong and durable.“Today is the day to unite and work in solidarity for the future of a strong Turkey. We are answering President Erdoğan’s call for currency mobilization as a single entity, and we say that we are behind him! We owe it to our nation to work harder. The Ankara Chamber of Commerce is resolute,” said President of the Ankara Chamber of Commerce Gürsel Baran.“Our people will not be brought to their knees through economic attacks. We have no doubt that these attacks will be dispersed. We will continue to produce more and work harder. Every penny in our pocket is for this country. We as the business community will always stand beside our country and people,” said Ankara Chamber of Industry President Nurettin Özdebir.The lira firmed as far as 5.75 against the dollar on Wednesday and stood at 5.9350 at 0745 GMT.Turkey-U.S. rowTurkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.Banking watchdog puts new limits on FX swapsU.S. President Donald Trump last week ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively, causing the lira to lose value against the dollar.Turkey imposed tariffs on several U.S.-origin products, including alcohol and tobacco products and cars, according to a new presidential decree published early Wednesday in the official gazette.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his turn said Turkey would turn toward new markets, new partners and alternative financial tools, and said that the country would boycott U.S. electronic products.Turkish court rejects US pastor’s appeal for release for second time“If you pressure us through the dollar, we will look for other ways to carry out our works,” he said.Terming the recent U.S. tariffs on Turkey as an “economic war,” the Turkish president said: “We’ve seen your game and we challenge it.”The aim of the recent U.S. pressure is “to ensnare Turkey in every field from finance to politics,” the president noted.“We will not surrender,” Erdoğan asserted.Video: Rationale of US tariffs very weak: Harvard economics professorTariffs on Turkish imports ‘pose serious risks’ for USTurkey raises tariffs on US-origin products
Business community backs Turkish economy
A Turkish court on Wednesday rejected the second appeal to release U.S. Pastor Andrew Craig Brunson.Brunson’s lawyer, Ismail Cem Halavurt, said a higher court was yet to rule on the appeal.Halavurt lodged the second appeal document to court on Tuesday, asking for the pastor to be released from house arrest and have his travel ban lifted.Turkey raises tariffs on US-origin productsThe appeal was rejected by the 2nd Penal Court in İzmir, and referred to a higher court.Recently, the court had allowed Brunson to be moved from jail and placed him under house arrest in view of his "health problems".Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.US dollar has lost its credibility: Turkish FinMinTurkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gül for not releasing Brunson.The two NATO allies have been at odds since the defeated coup, which Ankara says U.S.-based Fetullah Gülen, the ringleader of FETÖ, is behind.Brunson's next hearing as part of the trial is scheduled for October 12.US pastor in Turkey appeals for release, lifting of travel ban
Turkish court rejects US pastor’s appeal for release for second time