Turkish steel companies condemn Trump's tariff policy

The Turkish Steel Manufacturers Association (TCUD) says it condemns the latest threat from US President Donald Trump to double the Article 232 tariff on Turkish steel to 50% and calls for retaliatory measures. Trump said he would do this in response to Turkey's military actions in Syria.

TCUD Secretary General Dr. Veysel Yayan says: “It is clear that by using these new methods, which do not have an acceptable understanding of trade in terms of Turkish steel exports, the US is not complying with WTO commitments. These decisions should be based on economic reasons, not politics. We condemn this statement. WTO members must support free and fair trade. But the practice of the EU and the US is no longer aimed at free and fair trade. Therefore, we need to immediately take appropriate measures here in Turkey. ”

“We will ask the Ministry of Commerce to take immediate action to balance steel consumption in Turkey with local production,” Yayan continues. “These could include limited imports, duties, appropriate measures to protect our own producers. Otherwise, some manufacturers who have reduced production to one shift may no longer continue to operate. ”