Ankara municipality to stop issuing licenses for McDonald’s, Burger King

A local municipality in the Turkish capital Ankara has decided to halt issuing new licenses for U.S. franchises after a majority of its council voted in favor of the motion.

Ankara’s Keçiören municipality has taken the unprecedented decision following the U.S.’s latest tariffs and sanctions targeting Turkey, deemed by many as an “economic war” against its NATO ally.

Under the new decision, which is effective immediately, popular U.S. franchises such as fast food giants McDonald’s and Burger Kıng, in addition to café mogul Starbucks, would be unable to open new branches in the district.

The municipality also put up billboards calling on citizens to come out in support of the national currency, which has suffered losses following recent U.S. decisions.

“We call on everyone to take concrete steps toward a national stance on the side of our government against all threats and practices aimed at creating an atmosphere of chaos and interfering in our country’s judicial process,” a statement by the municipality read.

Turkey and the U.S. are currently experiencing rocky relations following Washington’s imposition of sanctions on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu and Justice Minister Abdulhamit Gul for not releasing American Pastor Andrew Brunson, who faces terrorism charges in Turkey.

U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday ramped up his attack on Turkey by doubling U.S. tariffs on Turkish aluminum and steel imports to 20 percent and 50 percent, respectively, causing the lira to lose value against the dollar.

Turkey in its turn increased tariffs on several U.S. products, including alcohol, tobacco and cars, according to a new presidential decree published Wednesday in the official gazette.