Trump to Turkey: There will be no concessions

The U.S. President reiterated he has no intention to agree any demands from Turkey in exchange for the release of pastor Brunson.

U.S. President Donald Trump ruled out agreeing to any demands from Turkey to gain the release of a detained American pastor, Andrew Brunson.

In an interview with Reuters on a wide range of issues, President Trump said he thought he had a deal with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan when he helped persuade Israel to free a detained Turkish citizen. 

Trump was referring to the release of Ebru Özkan last July.

The U.S. president said he thought Erdogan would then release pastor Andrew Brunson, who denies Turkey’s allegations that he was involved in the 2016 plot against the Turkish president.

“I think it’s very sad what Turkey is doing. I think they’re making a terrible mistake. There will be no concessions,” said Trump.

Since the attempted coup, Turkey has been demanding that the United States hand over Fethullah Gulen.

Trump responded to Turkey’s refusal to release pastor Brunson by imposing tariffs on imports of Turkish steel and aluminium, raising concerns of economic damage in Europe and in emerging market economies.

“I’m not concerned at all. I’m not concerned. This is the proper thing to do,” he said, when asked by Reuters about the potential damage to other economies.

Trump said Erdogan had wanted the Turkish citizen returned from Israel.

Trump and Erdogan met in Brussels for a NATO summit in mid-July. As White House officials confirmed to Reuters, Turkey had sought U.S. help to persuade the Israelis to release a Turkish woman who was being held in Israel. 

In exchange Turkey would release Brunson and other Americans being held in Turkey. Israel, which confirmed that Trump had requested Ebru Ozkan’s release, deported her on July 15.

Trump said he kept his side of the bargain. “I got that person out for him. I expect him to let this very innocent and wonderful man and great father and great Christian out of Turkey,” Trump said.

The dispute threatens to intensify a split between the United States and Turkey, a key NATO ally that plans to buy Russian missiles.

Trump added: “I like Turkey. I like the people of Turkey very much. Until now I had a very good relationship as you know with the president. I got along with him great. I had a very good relationship. But it can’t be a one-way street. It’s no longer a one-way street for the United States.”