Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan walked out of the 73rd United Nations General Assembly meeting being held in New York, as soon as United States President Donald Trump began his speech, highlighting the heightened tension between Washington and Ankara.
During the speech of US President Trump, his Turkish counterpart stood up with his entourage, including security guards and left the room, as representatives from 84 Heads of States and 44 Heads of Government from around the world looked stunned as Erdogan walked out “in protest,” according to Turkish media.
“In my two years as a leader I have achieved more success than almost all governments in the United States,” Trump said as Erdogan stormed off.
Tensions between the two nations have been strained for years, over policy in Syria toward the Kurdish population there and over Erdogan’s anti-democratic reforms.
The US doubled tariffs on Turkish steel and aluminum a month ago, which contributed to a tumble in the Turkish lira, which added to the strain.
