Former Deputy Leader of the United National Party and Member of Parliament, Ravi Karunanayake, has called on the government to address the tariff-related crisis triggered by the Trump-era US trade policies through diplomatic negotiations with Washington.
Speaking to the media, MP Karunanayake noted that even countries such as China, Canada, and Mexico — which faced some of the highest US-imposed tariffs — have successfully resolved these issues through dialogue and strategic engagement.
He emphasized that 17 countries have already negotiated favorable terms with the United States on the tariff issue, raising the question of why Sri Lanka has delayed taking similar action.
Highlighting the importance of maintaining strong economic ties with the US, the MP underscored the need to protect vital industries such as the garment sector, which supports over 800,000 jobs in Sri Lanka.
Karunanayake stressed that in order to secure the future of such key industries, Sri Lanka must adopt a dual strategy: actively open its trade sector to the United States while simultaneously implementing measures to safeguard the nation’s export industry.
