Turkey has double increased the tariffs for import of 22 goods from the U.S. Among them are coal, tobacco, alcohol etc. Ruhsar Pekcan, Minister of Trade claimed this during her speech at the consultative session for trade and economic relations between Turkey and Africa, Anadolu agency reports.
‘We are double increasing tariffs for 22 commodities imported from the U.S. to Turkey in the amount of 533 million dollars. This is a response to the recently introduced sanctions by the USA,’ the Minister claimed.
According to Reuters, A decree signed by Erdogan doubled Turkish tariffs on passenger cars to 120 percent, on alcoholic drinks to 140 percent and on leaf tobacco to 60 percent. Tariffs were also doubled on goods such as cosmetics, rice, and coal.
‘Turkey is ready to protect domestic companies amidst the unfair steps of the USA,’ the Minister said.
She claimed that the USA is important but not the only partner of Turkey. According to her, Turkey has access to alternative markets.
The United States imposed sanctions on two top officials in Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan's Cabinet on Wednesday fulfilling its pledge to punish Turkey for not releasing a detained American pastor. The sanctions are announced against Turkish Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul and Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu.
On August 10, Trump declared that the USA double increases the import tariffs for aluminum and steel from Turkey. The same day, the Turkish lira began to fall against the dollar. Turkish President Recep Erdogan called the citizens to exchange dollars and euro to support the Turkish lira. Also, Erdogan announced a boycott of American electronics. Later, Ankara stated that they wouldn't use equipment from the USA in the construction area.
