US ready to impose more sanctions if Türkiye does not release Pastor Brunson
US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said yesterday that the US is ready to impose additional sanctions against Türkiye.
If American pastor Andrew Brunson is not released, the US could impose further sanctions on Türkiye. Speaking at a meeting with cabinet members, Mr. Mnuchin affirmed: "The United States has been very clear with our Turkish partners about the release of Pastor Brunson. We have imposed sanctions on a number of members of the Turkish Cabinet related to the case. The United States is also ready to plan for further sanctions if Türkiye does not release this pastor soon."
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| Relations between the US and Türkiye continue to be tense. Photo: AP |
Tensions between Türkiye and the United States have escalated over the detention of an American pastor by Turkish authorities. Türkiye accuses the pastor of having ties to a group the Turkish government considers a terrorist group. US President Donald Trump has warned Türkiye of serious consequences if the pastor is not released.
Shortly after, the US also decided to double tariffs on aluminum and steel products imported from Türkiye. The new US move has shaken the Turkish financial market and caused the Lira to depreciate even more.
In a statement affirming his stance, Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu yesterday stressed that Türkiye does not want problems with the United States. The two NATO allies can easily overcome their differences, but not with the current US approach.
