International

US President Donald Trump has insisted he will not back down in a standoff with Turkey over a detained US pastor.

"I think it's very sad what Turkey is doing," he said. "I think they're making a terrible mistake. There will be no concessions."

He said he had thought Turkey would release pastor Andrew Brunson after the US helped persuade Israel to free a detained Turkish citizen.

Mr Brunson denies allegations he was in a plot against Turkey's president.

Mr Trump has imposed tariffs on imports of Turkish steel and aluminium in response to President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's refusal to free Mr Brunson.

The US president brushed aside concerns that the row between the two Nato allies could cause serious economic damage in Europe and emerging market economies.

"I'm not concerned at all," he said in an Oval Office interview on Monday with Reuters news agency. "I'm not concerned. This is the proper thing to do."