Turkish President: The U.S doesn't hesitate to use economy as a weapon
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Tuesday said that Turkey will boycott U.S.’s technology products amidst a row between the two diplomatic allies.
Referring to the fluctuations of the exchange rate, he said that the necessary measures have been taken and delaying production, switching to foreign currency would mean giving into the enemy.
During his speech, Erdoğan also accused the U.S. of using the economy as a weapon, saying, “As they couldn’t make us do what they wanted on the field, they don’t hesitate to use economy as a weapon.”
“The U.S. has targeted not only Turkey but also many regions from China to Russia, and from Iran to Europe.”
Reitarating the importance of converting their foreign exchange savings into liras, Erdoğan stated, “The best response would be converting dollars and save the honor of the Turkish lira.”
Calling the latest financial pressures of Trump a “deep operation” Erdoğan said, “When we reach our targets in 2023, every Turkish citizen will be twice wealthy as they are now.”
Stressing the importance of keeping a firm political stance, he said, “There is an open economic attack against Turkey. In the past, these kind of things were done more covertly and indirectlyThere are two things we can do: one is putting forth an economic and political stance.”
“I am calling out to the business world. We will produce and export more. We will boycott U.S.’s electronic products,” Erdoğan conluded.
Relations between Ankara and Washington have been rocky since the Trump administration imposed sanctions on Turkey’s interior and justice ministers last week after Ankara refused to release American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.
Last Friday, President Donald Trump doubled tariffs on aluminum and steel imports from Turkey.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in his turn said Turkey would turn toward new markets, new partners and alternative financial tools.
“If you pressure us through the dollar, we will look for other ways to carry out our works,” he said.
Terming the recent U.S. tariffs on Turkey as an “economic war,” the Turkish president said: “We’ve seen your game and we challenge it.”
The aim of the recent U.S. pressure is “to ensnare Turkey in every field from finance to politics,” the president noted.
“We will not surrender,” Erdoğan asserted.
