Erdogan’s Latest Diplomatic Row Deals a Fresh Blow to Lira

  • Investors see fresh hit to weakening lira if crisis worsens
  • Local assets more volatile with many foreign investors gone

Currency exchange rate information inside the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul. 

Photographer: Moe Zoyari/Bloomberg
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Turkey’s latest diplomatic spat gave currency traders another reason to sell the struggling lira, which dropped as much as 1.5% in early Asia trading amid thin liquidity.

Already under pressure following a larger-than-expected rate cut last week, the currency encountered fresh selling after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Saturday that the ambassadors of 10 foreign nations were no longer welcome.