Trump targets Turkey

US President Donald Trump is set to impose economic sanctions on Turkey as early as this week for its incursion into northern Syria, one of the few levers the United States still has over the NATO-ally.

Using the military to stop the Turkish offensive on USallied Kurdish fighters was never an option, officials say, with Mr Trump also asking the Pentagon to begin a “deliberate” withdrawal of all US troops from northern Syria.

After Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said on Friday Mr Trump had authorised “very powerful” sanctions targeting Turkey, the administration appears ready to make good on the threat to obliterate Turkey’s economy.

On Sunday, Mr Trump said he was listening to Congress, where Republicans and Democrats were pushing aggressively for sanctions action.

“Dealing with @LindseyGrahamSC and many members of Congress, including Democrats, about imposing powerful Sanctions on Turkey,” he said on Twitter, referring to the loyal ally who lambasted him last week.

“Treasury is ready to go, additional legislation may be sought. There is great consensus on this. Turkey has asked that it not be done. Stay tuned!”

A US official speaking anonymously told Reuters sanctions were “being worked out at all levels of the government for rollout”.