Automotiv_September

Monthly automotive aftermarket magazine
Turkey undoubtedly being
targeted, US economist
Perkins says
American economist and author John Perkins
American economist and author
John Perkins, best known for his
book titled "Confessions of an
Economic Hit Man" told Anadolu
Agency that he had no doubt "a
developing economy like in Turkey"
is being targeted by economic hit
men, adding that they not only
work for the U.S. but also for other
governments.
Perkins underlined that the global
financial order is being shaped
according to the benefits of
dominant powers, saying that
these powers obtain major financial
gains by promoting rivalry between
two states.
"They pit one country against
another in order to arrange huge
tax benefits, wage rates and other
labor conditions, and numerous
other policies that benefit their
corporations, but hurt the people
of the country," he said.
Speaking to Anadolu Agency,
the 73-year-old economist also
recommended that Turkey stay
away from the International
Monetary Fund (IMF), saying the
country has many options like
Qatar.
Perkins said that countries like
Turkey could use such offers as an
advantage to start a rivalry between
financial institutions in China, U.S.
and the Gulf region.
"Countries like Turkey should
definitely be negotiating with
Russia, China, the Gulf countries,
etc. I don't think they necessarily
need to form alliances, but should
use the leverage these countries
offer to strike deals that are much
more beneficial to their people," he
said.
"Turkey should do anything to
prevent further foreign debt,"
Perkins added.
The economist stressed that
developing economies need to
stand firm against the burden of
debt, advising these countries to
come together in order to reject
the repayment of such unfairly and
corruptly given debts.
"Countries like Iceland, Argentina,
and Ecuador provide an example
of how this can be done," he said.
Commenting on U.S. President
Donald Trump's international trade
policies, Perkins said that they pose
a threat to the future of global
economy.
"President Trump seems to be
determined to turn traditional
international relations and the
global economy upside down,"
Perkins said, adding that Trump's
policies were extremely dangerous
to the whole world, including the
U.S. itself.
Reminding that Turkey is not the
only state subject to U.S. sanctions,
the veteran economist said Ankara
should do everything possible to
retract Washington toward being
reasonable.
Turkey-U.S. relations deteriorated
to an unprecedented extent after
Washington decided to impose
sanctions on Interior Minister
Süleyman Soylu and Justice Minister
Abdulhamit Gül over the detention
of terror-linked pastor Andrew
Brunson.
Since then, Ankara has called on its
counterparts in the U.S. to come to
their senses and has been trying to
solve the matter through diplomatic
channels.
30 SEPTEMBER 2018