Turkey’s Minister of Finance and Treasury Berat Albayrak, speaking at a news conference in Paris following a meeting with his French counterpart, Bruno Le Maire, said that the US moves are isolating it from its allies.
According to Berat Albayrak, the dollar is losing status as global trade tool.
The Turkish finance minister added that the US measures have the potential to cause problems, including instability in the region, and that those steps are being deliberately taken against Turkey for political reasons.
On August 10, US President Donald Trump authorized the doubling of steel and aluminum tariffs on Turkey, up to 50 and 20 percent, respectively, which resulted in the Turkish lira falling to a new historic low.
The announcement led to a sharp drop of the Turkish lira.
In turn, Turkey announced that it was raising levies on several types of US imports, including tobacco, alcohol and cars, among other products.
Moreover, Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said that Ankara will challenge Washington’s decision to double tariffs on steel and aluminum imports from Turkey at the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Tensions between the two countries have also risen due to an Izmir court’s rejection to release the US missionary Andrew Brunson, who was arrested in October of 2016 for reportedly playing a role in failed coup attempt.
Washington has introduced sanctions against members of the Turkish government.