Trump says he will soon authorize order enabling sanctions on Turkey over its incursion into Syria

President Trump announced Monday that he would “soon” issue an executive order to authorize sanctions against the highest levels of the Turkish government, as the situation on the ground in northern Syria continued to deteriorate Monday following the recent withdrawal of U.S. forces in the region.

Trump did not specify when the sanctions would be leveled against Turkey, but said in a statement that the executive order would empower the U.S. government to impose additional penalties against “those who may be involved in serious human rights abuses, obstructing a cease-fire, preventing displaced persons from returning home, forcibly repatriating refugees or threatening the peace, security or stability in Syria.”

Trump also said tariffs on steel imports from Turkey will be raised 50 percent, and that the U.S. has halted negotiations over a $100 billion trade deal with the country.