Turkey to impose retaliatory tariffs on US imports from June 21

Turkey will respond to the US tariffs on aluminium and steel by imposing countertariffs on American produced products starting from June 21, Hürriyet Daily News reported. The move follows Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on aluminium and steel from many countries, including Turkey.

Turkey, which exported $1.04 billion worth steel and $60 million worth aluminium to the U.S. last year, will impose tariffs on certain imported products from the US, including coal, paper, walnuts, almonds, tobacco, unprocessed rice, automobiles, machinery and equipment, and petrochemical products.

The country had expected a positive response from the US in regards to aluminium and steel tariffs exemptions when Nihat Zeybekci, Economy Minister of Turkey, had written a letter to US commerce secretary Wilbur Ross to convey the country’s exemption demand. But unfortunately, Turkey failed to secure the relief from the tariffs and thus, decides to counterattack the US with heavy duties. Ministry believes that these countermeasures will bring around $266.5 million in tariffs.

Last month, Turkey submitted a list to WTO that it plans to impose tariffs on U.S. goods. Turkey will impose 40 percent and 35 per cent additional duties on whiskey and automotive imports from the U.S.  The country will also impose 32 per cent additional duties on PVC imports.