The Sri Lanka-China Friendship Association (SLCFA) in a statement said it is deeply concerned about the heavy tariffs recently introduced by the US on Chinese goods.
One of the most worrying actions is the US decision to charge a fee of $ 50 per net ton on ships built in China, starting from mid-October. These steps, which are said to support the US shipbuilding industry, will create serious problems for global trade and the world economy.
“These actions do not only affect China—they impact the entire world. They will increase the cost of shipping, disturb the flow of goods between countries, and make inflation worse. This will hurt both consumers and businesses in the US and many other nations,” the SLCFA said.
“Sri Lanka is still recovering after a difficult financial crisis. We are slowly rebuilding our economy with great care. But when large countries take sudden economic decisions like this, they create uncertainty and difficulty for smaller and developing nations like ours. These pressures can make our recovery even harder,” it said.
“We agree with the recent remarks made by People’s Republic of China President Xi Jinping during his visit to Malaysia. He said that Asian countries should stand together against geopolitical conflicts, unfair trade practices, and protectionism. We believe his message is important for this moment in time. The region must work together to stay peaceful, strong, and independent. China’s efforts to support global cooperation – through projects like the Belt and Road Initiative, Global Development Initiative, and Global Security Initiative – are a sign of true leadership. These ideas bring hope at a time when many international relationships are under stress,” the SLCFA added.
It stressed that it is important for all countries to work together, talk openly, and support fair trade. Big nations must not use their power to harm others. Instead, they should help build a global economy that is stable and fair for everyone – especially for smaller countries like Sri Lanka.
“We stand with China and with all nations that support peace, fairness, and cooperation. Let us work together to protect the future of our global economy and the well-being of people everywhere,” the statement added.
(Daily FT)