Home Politics Turkey raises tariffs on US cars, alcohol and tobacco

Turkey raised tariffs on American goods including cars, alcohol and tobacco Wednesday as part of its trade stand-off with the U.S.

Fuat Oktay Turkey’s vice president announced the tariffs on Twitter, calling them a response to “deliberate attacks” by the U.S. on the country’s economy after President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan signed a decree nearly doubling existing import taxes on a variety of American goods.

The tariffs on cars are being increased to 120 percent, on alcohol to 140 percent and on tobacco to 60 percent, according to Reuters. Tariffs were also doubled on goods such as cosmetics, rice and coal.

Erdoğan had already announced retaliation measures for U.S. tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminium on Tuesday, stating that Turkey will boycott U.S. electronic goods.

The trade fight comes amid a diplomatic row over the arrest of an American pastor and charges against several U.S. officers at the İncirlik Air Base in southern Turkey.

White House officials have threatened further tariff increases if the pastor is not set free in the coming days.


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