In a statement tweeted Monday afternoon, US President Donald Trump said he had signed an executive order to increase tariffs on Turkish steel from 25% to 50% in response to the country's actions in Syria.
Statement from President Donald J. Trump Regarding Turkey's Actions in Northeast Syria pic.twitter.com/ZCQC7nzmME
- Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 14, 2019
Earlier, Trump had already raised the tariff rate on steel from Turkey from 25% to 50% in August 2018 due to the devaluation of the Turkish lira and the increased political tensions between the countries after the arrest of the American pastor Brunson.
In May, US duties were again reduced to 25%.
In addition, Trump signed a sanctions decree against Turkey on Monday.
Under this decree, the Treasury Department and the US Department of State will be able to impose sanctions on individuals, organizations or individuals associated with the Turkish government who, according to Washington, are involved in actions that further undermine peace, security and stability in north-east of Syria.
Trump has said he will send Vice President Mike Pence and National Security Adviser Robert O 'Brien to Ankara as soon as possible to try and start talks with Erdogan.
Pence said that Trump spoke directly with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who promised not to attack the border town of Kobane.
President Trump has made it very clear to him that the United States of America wants Turkey to end the invasion, implement an immediate ceasefire, and begin negotiations with Kurdish forces in Syria to end the violence.
Turkey claims that its operation in northern Syria is aimed at neutralizing the Kurdish YPG militia, which it considers terrorist.
The Turkish offensive and the withdrawal of US troops have drew strong international criticism, as the Syrian Kurds were the West's main allies in the fight against ISIS in Syria.
