Americans warn new sanctions on Turkey

The US has threatened to impose even more serious economic sanctions on Turkey unless it releases the banned American priest.

Andrew. Brunson has been held in Turkey for nearly two years over alleged ties to illegal political groups.

The dispute over his release has seen the two NATO allies set tariffs for each other's goods.

This has exacerbated a Turkish currency, lira crisis, which has lost about a third of its value to the dollar since January.

The crisis has sparked widespread sales in other emerging markets, prompting fears of a global crisis.

What's the new threat from the United States?

Lira has organised a small recovery, but this is threatened by a tweet from US President Donald Trump.

He said Friday that Turkey had “exploited the United States for many years” and that it was “returning to Turkey”.

On Thursday, US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said: “We plan to do even more unless they release [Brunson] quickly. ”

Last week, the US has doubled its tariffs for metal imports from Turkey.

Turkey pledged it would not surrender to threats.

A court refused to release Mr. Brunson, and the government in Ankara increased tariffs for US imports of vehicles, alcoholic beverages and leaf tobacco.