The distance comparison between Donald Trump and Recep Tayyp Erdogan is getting harder.
In fact, the Turkish president, ignoring the suggestions of Tusiad, the Turkish Confindustria, which invited him to lower the tone of the clash with Washington and to raise interest rates to curb the devaluation of the lira, signed the decree that raises duties on some US imported products including cars (120%), alcohol (140%) and tobacco (60%), as well as rice and sunscreen. This was reported by the Anadolu agency.
Fuat Oktay, Turkish vice president, commenting on his government's decision and explained that "the rise is to counter the deliberate attack of the US administration on our economy".
Ruhsar Pekcan, Trade Minister of Ankara, reported that the doubling of the Turkish tariffs on 22 types of products amounts to 533 million dollars. The minister's spokesman then added that Turkey "will continue to protect the rights of Turkish companies and respond" to unfair US actions.
The reaction of the White House was not long in coming. Sarah Sanders, White House spokesperson commenting on Erdogan's decision said: “Turkey's tariffs are certainly unpleasant and a step in the wrong direction. The tariffs imposed by the US on Turkey are beyond the national interest and are not a retaliation ”.