Istanbul (August 11, 2018): President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has said that Turkey’s partnership with the United States may be in jeopardy as ties strain, warning Ankara could start looking for new allies.
According to international news agency, Erdogan warned Washington not to risk relations with Ankara, saying otherwise his country would look for new friends and allies.
He also wrote, unless the U.S. starts respecting Turkey’s sovereignty and proves that it understands the dangers that our nation faces, our partnership could be in jeopardy.
Erdogan further added that before it is too late, Washington must give up the misguided notion that our relationship can be asymmetrical and come to terms with the fact that Turkey has alternatives.
He said that Turkey had alternatives ‘from Iran, to Russia, to China and some European countries’.
In a recent tweet, Trump announced the doubling of the tariffs — in new punitive actions against Turkey, saying: “Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!”
I have just authorized a doubling of Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum with respect to Turkey as their currency, the Turkish Lira, slides rapidly downward against our very strong Dollar! Aluminum will now be 20% and Steel 50%. Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 10, 2018
Erdogan downplayed the currency crisis in a speech on Friday, advising Turks not to be worried over exchange rate fluctuations.
According to details, relations between the two NATO allies have sunk to their lowest point in decades over a number of issues including the detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson on terror-related charges.
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