US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday that the United States is ready to impose more sanctions on Turkey if Pastor Andrew Brunson is not released.
"We have more of what we are planning to do if they do not release him quickly," Mnuchin told a cabinet meeting of President Donald Trump.
The United States and Turkey have raised import tariffs against each other after Trump tried to persuade Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to give up Brunson, who denies allegations of involvement in a coup attempt against Erdogan two years ago.
"They did not prove to be good friends," Trump said of Turkey during the cabinet meeting. "They have a great Christian pastor there. He's an innocent man."
The dispute over Brunson and other obstacles between Washington and Ankara was one of the reasons why the Turkish lira fell 40% this year against the dollar. Investors are also worried about Erdogan's influence over his country's monetary policy.
The lira lost some of her strength after Mnuchin's comments.
"They want to keep our wonderful pastor. It's not fair, it's not right," the US president added.
Trump has doubled steel and aluminum tariffs for Turkey.

US says they are ready for more sanctions if Turkey does not free pastor



US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Thursday that the United States is ready to impose more sanctions on Turkey if Pastor Andrew Brunson is not released.
"We have more of what we are planning to do if they do not release him quickly," Mnuchin told a cabinet meeting of President Donald Trump.
The United States and Turkey have raised import tariffs against each other after Trump tried to persuade Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan to give up Brunson, who denies allegations of involvement in a coup attempt against Erdogan two years ago.
"They did not prove to be good friends," Trump said of Turkey during the cabinet meeting. "They have a great Christian pastor there. He's an innocent man."
The dispute over Brunson and other obstacles between Washington and Ankara was one of the reasons why the Turkish lira fell 40% this year against the dollar. Investors are also worried about Erdogan's influence over his country's monetary policy.
The lira lost some of her strength after Mnuchin's comments.
"They want to keep our wonderful pastor. It's not fair, it's not right," the US president added.
Trump has doubled steel and aluminum tariffs for Turkey.

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