Mubasher: The US ended Turkey’s preferential trade treatment which allowed some duty-free exports, but tariffs on Turkish steel imports in place since last August were reduced by half to 25%, Reuters reported.

Effective 17 May, it is deemed appropriate to terminate Turkey’s eligibility to participate in the Generalised System of Preferences (GSP) programme, based on its level of economic development, the White House said.

After reviewing Turkey’s status in the programme, the US Trade Representative in early March stated that Turkey is no longer GSP-eligible, citing its “sufficiently economically developed” condition.

However, the US administration stated later that the 50% tariff, doubled in August 2018, would be lowered to 25%.

“Maintaining the existing 25% tariff on most countries is necessary and appropriate at this time to address the threatened impairment of the national security,” the White House statement was quoted by Reuters.

During last year’s row, US President Donald Trump levied higher tariffs on imports of Turkish steel and aluminium to heap economic pressure on Turkey to release Evangelical US pastor Andrew Brunson, who was detained on terrorism-related charges. Brunson was released last October.