Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Monday wished the people of Turkey a happy Eid al-Adha, one of the most important holidays on the Islamic calendar, and drew attention to a recent currency crisis.
In a pre-recorded address to the Turkish people ahead of the start of the four-day holiday on Tuesday, Erdoğan said the aim of the recent currency crisis was to bring "Turkey and its people to their knees" and that this attack was no different from a strike against Turkey’s flag or call to prayer.
He said that Turkey had the power and ability to overcome the crisis.
Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations after Washington imposed sanctions on two Turkish ministers for not releasing American pastor Andrew Brunson.
President Donald Trump ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively, causing the lira to depreciate in value.
On Wednesday, Turkey increased tariffs on several U.S.-origin products, including alcohol and tobacco products and cars in retaliation.
President Donald Trump said on Thursday the United States "will pay nothing" to Turkey for the release of Brunson, who he called "a great patriot hostage."
“Turkey has taken advantage of the United States for many years. They are now holding our wonderful Christian Pastor, who I must now ask to represent our Country as a great patriot hostage. We will pay nothing for the release of an innocent man, but we are cutting back on Turkey!” Trump tweeted.
Threats from top U.S. officials targeting Turkey continued with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who said at a cabinet meeting that sanctions were ready to be put in place if Brunson was not freed.
"We have more that we are planning to do if they don't release him quickly," Mnuchin said during the meeting.
