Turkey has lifted additional tariffs on several US imports in a move that comes just days before President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump on Thursday, the state-run Anadolu news agency reported.
A presidential decree signed by Erdoğan and published Monday in the Official Gazette ended extra duties imposed in 2018 during a diplomatic crisis between Ankara and Washington. At the time Turkey levied 100 percent tariffs on a list of US imports in response to US sanctions and tariffs tied to the imprisonment of American pastor Andrew Brunson, who was accused of espionage and links to terrorism.
Turkey’s Trade Ministry said on Monday that the measures had been enacted under World Trade Organization rules after Washington raised tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum. Although later revised, some of the duties had remained in place until now. The ministry said they were removed following “positive progress” in negotiations with the United States and consultations under the WTO’s dispute settlement process.
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The imports affected include passenger cars, cosmetics and skin care products, leaf tobacco and alcoholic beverages.
Brunson’s prolonged detention in Turkey deepened tensions between the two NATO allies. In August 2018 the Trump administration imposed sanctions on two Turkish cabinet ministers and doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum. Turkey responded by sharply raising tariffs on US goods and accused the US of staging “economic attacks” on Turkey.
Brunson was released two months later and allowed to return to the United States after serving nearly two years in detention.
The timing of Monday’s decision coincided with Erdoğan’s arrival in New York for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly and to have talks with world leaders, including Trump.
President Trump announced Friday he will welcome Erdoğan to the White House on September 25, which will be the first visit to the White House by Erdoğan since 2019, during Trump’s first term in office.