Turkey’s lira hits a record low against US dollar amid possible American sanctions

BY Libyan Express Aug 01, 2018 - 20:54 Updated: Aug 01, 2018 - 20:57

Turkey’s lira has weakened to a new record low against the dollar after a media report indicated that the US could be laying the groundwork for possible sanctions amid a diplomatic row between the two countries.

The lira extended its fall to touch a new record of 5.00 against the dollar on Wednesday, according to Thomson Reuters data.

The fall comes after Bloomberg reported that the US has drawn up a list of entities and people to target if it moves to fulfil US President Donald Trump’s threat to aim “large sanctions” at Turkey over its prosecution of an American pastor.

A state department official confirmed to the FT that Magnitsky Act sanctions “were being looked into” for Turkey.

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