While Turkey was eagerly anticipating a new government in Baghdad to sort out many problems with Iraq, a last minute decision by the outgoing prime minister has added a fresh item to the list of ongoing disagreements between the two countries.

Haider al-Abadi unexpectedly signed a decree to set up three new checkpoints in government-controlled areas in northern Iraq that will effectively slash Turkey’s trade with it. The trucks that enter the country normally pass through the sole border crossing that is controlled by the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) and will now also have to pass at least one of these additional checkpoints.

The three checkpoints will be located in Altun Kupri between Erbil-Kirkuk road, in Qara Anjir on Sulaimaniyah-Baghdad highway and in Fayda between Dohuk-Mosul road. The internal federal customs points will supervise collection of the federal government’s share of fees that the KRG imposes on imports from Turkey.

According to the Iraqi authorities, the checkpoints are not going to collect additional fees but will ensure that the applicable taxes are paid. However, considering the loose rule of law and widespread corruption in Iraq, the checkpoints are likely to lead to double taxation. Naturally, Turkey sees the decision as a move to diminish Turkish exports, and Turkey’s embassy in Baghdad has been warning companies and drivers about the practice.