President Donald Trump announced on Oct. 14 that his administration will be implementing sanctions via executive order against the Turkish government for invading northeast Syria.
According to Trump’s statement on the matter, the sanctions will be imposed “against current and former officials” of the Turkish government; additionally, tariffs on Turkish steel will see a 50% percent increase and negotiations for a $100 billion trade deal between Turkey and the United States will be halted.
“Turkey’s military offensive is endangering civilians and threatening peace, security, and stability in the region,” Trump said in the statement. “I have been perfectly clear with [Turkish] President [Recep Tayyip] Erdogan: Turkey’s action is precipitating a humanitarian crisis and setting conditions for possible war crimes.”
He later added, “I am fully prepared to swiftly destroy Turkey’s economy.”
Turkey’s invasion came after the Trump administration announced on Oct. 6 they were ceasing their opposition to Turkey’s “long-planned operation into Northern Syria.” The Israeli government, as well as the governments of European nations, have signaled their opposition to Turkey’s actions. Erdogan’s communications director, Fahrettin Altun, told Agence France-Presse on Oct. 15, “We will continue to combat all terrorist groups, including [ISIS], whether or not the world agrees to support our efforts.”
