On October 14, 2019, President Trump released a statement that said that he would be “issuing an Executive Order authorizing the imposition of sanctions against current and former officials of the Government of Turkey and any persons contributing to Turkey’s destabilizing actions in northeast Syria.” He also said the steel tariffs will be increased back up to 50 percent, the level prior to reduction to 25% in May. The United States will also immediately stop negotiations, being led by the Department of Commerce, with respect to a $100 billion trade deal with Turkey. The statement also said:
This Order will enable the United States to impose powerful additional sanctions on those who may be involved in serious human rights abuses, obstructing a ceasefire, preventing displaced persons from returning home, forcibly repatriating refugees, or threatening the peace, security, or stability in Syria. The Order will authorize a broad range of consequences, including financial sanctions, the blocking of property, and barring entry into the United States.
Later, he signed an Executive Order on Blocking Property and Suspending Entry of Certain Persons Contributing to the Situation in Syria which will be published in the Federal Register. Additional information will be released in the coming days.
