Turkey warns it will ‘seek new allies’ after Trump doubles tariffs
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan says the crash of the lira is a ‘political plot’
Istanbul — Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday slammed the crash of the lira amid a widening spat with the US as a "political plot" and said his country would instead seek new markets and new allies. "The aim of the operation is to make Turkey surrender in all areas from finance to politics. We are once again facing a political, underhand plot. With God’s permission we will overcome this," Erdogan told his party members in the Black Sea city of Trabzon. The US gave Turkey a deadline until last Wednesday, Erdogan said, to release an American pastor being tried by a Turkish court. The case of Andrew Brunson, an evangelical Christian, is one of a series of disputes that lies at the heart of deteriorating ties between the two Nato allies.
The embattled Turkish lira tumbled more than 16% to new record lows against the dollar as strains with the US intensified over Brunson, as well as Washington’s co-operation with the Syrian Kurdish militia force in the fight against I...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.