US announces sanctions against Turkey

    in an offensive against the Kurds in northeastern Syria.

Donald Trump, who paved the way for a Turkish military intervention by announcing, a week ago, the withdrawal of US troops from the borders of the Turkish-Syrian border, issued Monday a decree authorizing sanctions against Turkish leaders and "Anyone taking part in Turkey's destabilizing actions in the northeastern part of Syria. "

The presidential decree will notably result in financial sanctions and entry bans in the United States. "The actions of the Turkish government undermine the campaign to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria, endanger civilians and threaten the peace, security and stability of the region," said the US president.

The decree could have significant economic consequences: it allows the freezing of the assets of any member of the Turkish government in the United States, but also those controlled by agencies dependent on the Turkish state or operating in sectors deemed strategic. It will be up to the treasury secretary and the secretary of state to judge.

Donald Trump also announced that US tariffs on Turkish steel will be raised to 50% – their level before May's decline – and that negotiations on a $ 100 billion trade deal between Washington and Ankara will "immediately to cease "

The US president adds that he is "quite ready to quickly destroy Turkey's economy if Turkish leaders continue this dangerous and destructive path."

"Dangerous IS detainees" released

On a military level, if US troops will leave north-eastern Syria, Donald Trump this time they will be "redeployed and will remain in the region to monitor the situation."

Shortly after the release of the president's statement, Pentagon chief Mark Esper said Washington would ask NATO to "take action" against Turkey, a member of the alliance, whom it accuses of "undermining" The international mission against the Islamic State (IS) group in Syria. The US Defense Minister said that Ankara's offensive caused the "release of many dangerous IS detainees".

The Elysee said Monday night that Emmanuel Macron had insisted on "the absolute need to prevent a resurgence" of the IS during a telephone interview with his American counterpart. The French president also met with his Turkish counterparts Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Iraqi Barham Saleh, according to the presidency.