File Photo: Pakistani and Turkish flags are displayed in Lahore, Pakistan.
Pakistan on Monday opposed the “unilateral sanctions” imposed by the U.S. on Turkey over the detention of an American pastor under terrorism charges.
“Pakistan, in principle, is opposed to imposition of unilateral sanctions against any country. The solution to any and all issues should lies in dialogue, mutual understanding and goodwill,” a statement by the country’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday.
“Any steps or actions to the contrary only undermine the peace and stability and make the solution to a problem more difficult and intractable,” the statement added.
Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.
U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.
The statement by Pakistan’s Foreign Ministry lauded Turkey’s role towards regional and international peace and stability.
“Pakistan acknowledges and greatly appreciates Turkey’s invaluable role towards regional and international peace and stability. It is also a vital member and engine of the global economy”, the statement further said.
Expressing its solidarity, Islamabad reiterated its strong support for the government and the people of Turkey.
“The people and the government of Pakistan reiterate their strong support for the government and the people of Turkey in their quest for peace and prosperity, and as always, will continue to stand by them towards the achievement of these shared goals,” the statement said.
Germany’s economy minister criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on Turkey, local media reported Sunday."This trade war slows down and destroys economic growth and produces new uncertainties," Peter Altmaier said according to Germany’s Bild am Sonntag newspaper."The past has shown that consumers are particularly affected by trade wars, as the products are becoming more expensive," Altmaier said.His remarks come after Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.“Turkey stands for security and reliability in Europe, we are working together well with Ankara in terms of migration,” he said.Altmaier said that they now “have the opportunity to return to objectivity” as the elections in Turkey are over.Regarding his planned visit on Oct. 25-26 to Turkey to boost bilateral economic ties, accompanied by a 80-member business delegation of leading companies, Altmaier said: “I represent the interests of more than 7,000 German companies operating in Turkey.”He added: “We want Turkey to be a stable and democratic country, and good economic relations contribute to that.”Political relations between Ankara and Berlin suffered several setbacks in the past two years, but both sides have taken steps towards the normalization of the ties.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to pay an official visit to Berlin next month.
Germany slams US tariffs decision against Turkey
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qassemi on Saturday criticized U.S. President Donald Trump's decision to impose additional tariffs on Turkey.Qassemi said Turkey and the Turkish people can succeed against external pressures."The will of the nations cannot be changed by bullying and threats," Qassemi told Iranian television, emphasizing the importance of cooperation between the countries of the region.US tariffs decision against Turkey 'shameful,' Iran saysUS tariff hike on Turkey fails to make economic senseQassemi's remarks followed those of Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who had said: "Trump's jubilation in inflicting economic hardship on its NATO ally Turkey is shameful. The U.S. has to rehabilitate its addiction to sanctions bullying or entire world will unite -- beyond verbal condemnations -- to force it to."We’ve stood with neighbors before, and will again now," Zarif wrote on his official Twitter account.Zarif's remarks came a day after Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively.Turkish Foreign Ministry spokesman Hami Aksoy on Friday said in a statement that Trump's decision, which disregards World Trade Organization rules, "cannot be associated with seriousness expected from a state"."All the steps taken against Turkey will be given a befitting response as they have been given before," Aksoy added.
Iran slams Trump's tariffs decision targeting Turkey
Turks from all walks of life have taken it upon themselves to help support their country’s national currency after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called on citizens to exchange their dollars and euros to Turkish lira, which experienced a sharp decrease in value following an escalating row between NATO allies Ankara and Washington. A large number of Turks launched individual initiatives aimed at encouraging their fellow citizens to support the lira.One citizen, a baker, offered free loaves of bread to anyone who exchanged their dollars, while another offered a free haircut to those who answered Erdoğan's call. Long lines formed in front of jewelers and exchange offices across Turkey as citizens flocked to sell whatever gold or dollars they have on hand to help support the ailing lira. One such citizen is Hatice Yavuz Duygu who expressed her joy to reporters after she exchanged her dollars to Turkish liras. “I’m happy, I never think or feel sad as I always put my support behind the Turkish lira,” she said.National struggle"Anyone who has dollars, euros, or gold underneath their mattresses should go to the bank and convert them into Turkish liras," Erdoğan told a rally on Friday in the northeastern Bayburt province.Erdoğan called such moves part of a "national struggle.""This will be my people's answer to those who declare economic war against us," he added. Süleyman, a trucker from the province of Kayseri, who despite not having any gold to sell or dollars to exchange, still managed to answer Erdoğan’s call by donating his truck to the government. A teller at an exchange office in Nevşehir spoke to Yeni Şafak about the large turnout of citizens who responded to the president’s call to exchange their dollars. “Especially in the last three to four days, our citizens have seriously begun to exchange their dollars. I’d say 80 percent of citizens have exchanged their dollars and euros based on what I’ve seen.”'US sanctions instigate economic war'Erdoğan: You can never bring this nation in line with the language of threats“Protect your country” “We have to protect our country,” a man from the crowd of people waiting to exchange their dollars yelled. “We have no other country. If you don’t want to become like Syria, then protect your country. The day is that of unity, not of playing politics. I, too, exchanged my foreign currency, everyone should do that no matter how much they have.”Criticizing what he called the "interest lobbies," he added that they cannot "overthrow" Turkey.Trump attacks Turkey after Erdoğan calls on TurksTrump said Friday on Twitter that he authorized the doubling of tariffs, noting that "aluminum will now be 20% and steel 50%. Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!"He later said in a proclamation released by the White House that the additional tariffs would begin on Aug. 13.Trump's announcement came less than an hour after Erdoğan urged Turks to help defend the country against the economic war against the country.The United States, the world's biggest steel importer, imposed tariffs of 25 percent on steel and 10 percent on aluminum in March for imports from a variety of countries.Since then, its relationship with Turkey, the sixth largest steel importer to the United States, has deteriorated, prompting Ankara to send a delegation this week to Washington to meet with both the State and Treasury Departments.Last week, the United States imposed sanctions on Turkey's justice minister and interior minister for not releasing Pastor Andrew Brunson.Securing the release of evangelical Pastor Brunson, who was arrested in 2016 and faces terrorism charges in Turkey, is a top priority for the United States, and it is also tussling with Turkey over trade issues and differences over Syria.Turkey undeterred by threats: presidential aideUS tariff hike on Turkey fails to make economic sense
Turks sprint to support national currency after Erdoğan call