IKV Chairman Ayhan Zeytinoğlu evaluated the support messages of Italy and Germany following US President Trump’s decision regarding the doubling of tariffs on steel and aluminium. IKV Chairman Zeytinoğlu continued his words as follows:

“Following US President Trump’s decision for customs duties to be applied on steel and aluminium on Friday, two EU countries made statements which can be interpreted as support for Turkey. While criticising the decision that could endanger Turkey’s economy even more, Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs Enzo Moavero noted that Turkey’s drift into a crisis would have negative consequences for the balance of the Mediterranean. On the other hand, Federal Minister of Germany for Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier emphasised that Trump’s trade sanction measures would put consumers at disadvantage first and foremost by undermining economic growth. The calls that come from the EU which invite the US to behave more rationally, attracts attention to the negatives consequences of trade wars. Turkey and the EU also stand on the same side when it comes to sanctions which will be imposed on Iran. Turkey acting together with the EU on the continuation of liberal economic order is of utmost importance. These support messages from the EU in the face of recent sanctions by the US are also hopeful in terms of the start of a new normalisation process with the EU.”