Economics

Trump and Turkey’s Erdogan Ease Rhetoric After Threat of Ruin

  • Trump had warned of economic ‘devastation’ if Kurds attacked
  • Two leaders talked by phone on Monday on U.S.’s Syria pullout

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan

Photographer: Arif Akdogan/Bloomberg
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Donald Trump and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan spoke by phone and tamped down their public rhetoric Monday after the U.S. president warned the country risked economic ruin if it defies him.

Trump tweeted Sunday that should Erdogan launch an attack on Kurdish forces in Syria it “will devastate Turkey economically.” Both leaders took a more conciliatory stance after a phone call Monday.