Turkey warding off ‘economic coup’ bid: Senior official

ANKARA

Turkey’s leadership and the Turkish people are warding off an “economic coup” bid against the country, said a senior Turkish official on Thursday.

“We’re warding off this economic coup attempt with our president’s leadership and the foresight of the Turkish nation,” said Fahrettin Altun, the Turkish presidency communications chief, on his Twitter account.

“In this process, this mighty nation will not forget those who stood with it, and those who stood against it,” he added, referring to the current rift between Turkey and the U.S.

On Aug. 1 relations between Ankara and Washington nosedived when the U.S. imposed sanctions on two Turkish Cabinet ministers after Turkey refused to release an American pastor who faces terrorism-related charges in Turkey.

Last week, U.S. President Donald Trump upped the ante by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports.

In response, Turkey raised tariffs on several U.S.-made goods, including alcohol and tobacco products and vehicles.

Reporting by Mehmet Tosun; Writing by Sena Guler