Turkish lira weakens as Trump warns he could destroy Turkish economy

The Turkish lira hit its weakest in a month on Tuesday, as investors worried about Trump 's warning that he could destroy the Turkish economy if Ankara takes its operation northern Syria too far.

The lira, which lost more than 2% of its value on Monday to close at 5.8370, weakened slightly further to 5.8415 against the U.S. currency by 0416 GMT, its weakest since September, 2.

US President, Donald Trump on Monday launched a harsh attack on NATO ally Turkey, threatening to destroy its economy if Ankara takes a planned military strike in Syria too far, even though the U.S. leader himself has opened the door for a Turkish incursion.

Trump said he would “totally destroy and obliterate” Turkey‘s economy if it took action in Syria that he considered “off limits” following his decision on Sunday to pull 50 American special forces troops from northeastern Syria.

The U.S. withdrawal will leave Kurdish-led forces in Syria that have long allied with Washington vulnerable to a planned incursion by the Turkish military, which brands them terrorists.

Reuters