| Author (Person) | Rocha, Frederico |
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| Publisher | Cardiff EDC |
| Publication Date | 15/08/2018 |
| Content Type | News |
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Summary: The United States announced on 1 August 2018 the introduction of sanctions on two members of Turkey's cabinet over the detention of US pastor Andrew Brunson, held in prison for spying and terror-related charges. Turkey later retaliated by raising tariffs on certain US products by up to 140 percent and announced a boycott on US electronic components. This followed a further announcement by the United States' authorities which doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminium. The increased tension between the two countries aggravated Turkey's currency crisis, with the lira sharply dropping its value against the dollar and sparking concerns over the country's economic situation. Further information: Mr Brunson is a long-term resident in Turkey. He lived with his wife and three children while working as the pastor of the small Izmir Resurrection Church. The authorities accused him of having links with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the Gulenist movement, which Turkey blames for a failed coup in July 2016. In the meantime, Turkey's economy was showing signs of deterioration for months when the sanctions were announced, amidst the decline of the national currency and rising inflation. |
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| Subject Categories | Politics and International Relations |
| Countries / Regions | Turkey, United States |
