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Turkey's Trade Ministry said Friday additional steel and aluminum tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald Trump violated the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) amid mounting tension between the two NATO allies.

"Turkey expects other member countries to abide by international rules," the ministry said in a statement, adding that it would support steel and aluminum exporters on all international platforms. It also underlined that the United States remained an important trade partner, Daily Sabah reports.

"Repeated efforts to communicate to the U.S. administration that none of the stated criteria driving America's tariffs are applicable to Turkey have thus far proven fruitless," Turkish Trade Minister Ruhsar Pekcan said.

"Nevertheless, we implore President Trump to return to the negotiating table – this can and should be resolved through dialogue and cooperation."

The foreign ministry also released a statement on Friday and warned the U.S. that sanctions and pressure would only serve to harm ties between the two NATO allies, adding Ankara would continue to retaliate as necessary against U.S. tariffs.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Hami Aksoy also said in a statement that Turkey wanted issues to be solved through diplomacy, dialogue, good intentions and bilateral understanding.

In a Twitter post on Friday morning, Mr. Trump said the United States would bump Turkey’s aluminum tariffs to 20 percent and steel tariffs to 50 percent and cited the country’s deteriorating currency, the Turkish lira. “Our relations with Turkey are not good at this time!” he said.

The moves stem from Trump's frustration over detained American pastor Andrew Brunson held by Turkey.