Turkey to retaliate against Trump's metal tariffs

By Sibel Ugurlu

ANKARA

Turkey said on Friday it would retaliate to the raising of steel and tariffs by the U.S. administration.

In a tweet, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hami Aksoy said President Donald Trump's decision, which also violates the rules of World Trade Organization, "cannot be associated with seriousness expected from a state."

"All the steps taken against Turkey will be given a befitting response as they have been given before," he vowed.

Aksoy said sanctions would only damage the relationship which has withstood the trials of time.

"In order to bring solutions to the existing problems, Turkey will always side with diplomacy, dialogue, and mutual understanding," he added.

U.S. President Donald Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by raising steel and tariffs to 50 percent and 20 percent respectively.

The U.S. decision is another salvo in the growing dispute between Turkey and the U.S.

Earlier this week, a Turkish delegation returned from Washington with no movement on the detention of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who is under house arrest in Turkey over terrorism charges.

Brunson's charges include spying for the PKK -- listed as a terrorist group by both the U.S. and Turkey -- and the Terrorist Organization (FETO), the group behind the defeated coup attempt in Turkey of July 2016.

Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul for not releasing Brunson.

The two NATO allies have been at odds since the defeated coup, which Ankara accused U.S.-based Fetullah Gulen and his FETO of masterminding.