https://sputniknews.in/20250822/south-asia-must-unite-against-us-tariffs---former-sri-lankan-president-wickremesinghe-9648212.html
South Asia Must Unite Against US Tariffs - Former Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe
South Asia Must Unite Against US Tariffs - Former Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe
Sputnik India
Asia is on track to become the giant of the world, and India, China and Global South must work together to achieve this goal, Sri Lanka’s former President and... 22.08.2025, Sputnik India
2025-08-22T16:56+0530
2025-08-22T16:56+0530
2025-08-22T16:56+0530
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“Asia is on track to become the giant of the world. India and China have to work together — there’s no alternative,” Wickremesinghe said, calling for deeper cooperation as global power balances evolve.Highlighting economic growth as the region’s greatest opportunity, he however, raised concerns over US tariffs, which he warned are hurting export-heavy economies.Wickremesinghe emphasized that countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Nepal depend heavily on apparel exports, and US tariffs are a “significant negative factor.” The US and EU are major markets where Sri Lanka enjoys a trade surplus, while trade with India, China, and Japan is largely in deficit, he explained.“These tariffs can harm us. It's an even bigger issue for Bangladesh, and the same goes for Pakistan and Nepal,” he added, highlighting that India also faces challenges from US pressure over its purchases of Russian oil.Further, the Ex-President and PM confirmed Sri Lanka’s formal application to join BRICS, calling it a crucial move to diversify global power structures.Wickremesinghe sees BRICS as a counterbalance to Western-centric trade policies and a potential bridge to cooperation with RCEP nations, the African Union, and Latin America.Commenting on India-China ties, Wickremesinghe acknowledged tensions but saw signs of progress amid the rapprochement that begun last year.He stressed the need to avoid great power rivalry in the Indian Ocean. Most Indian Ocean nations, he said, including Sri Lanka, have managed to balance ties with both India and China, and must continue to do so with mutual respect, he added.Wickremesinghe also welcomed growing ties with Russia, especially in trade and tourism.He highlighted higher education as another area of growing cooperation: more Sri Lankans are studying in Russia than ever before.Watch the full interview below.
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india, ranil wickremesinghe, russia, china, brics, european union (eu), african union, sri lanka
india, ranil wickremesinghe, russia, china, brics, european union (eu), african union, sri lanka
South Asia Must Unite Against US Tariffs - Former Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe
Exclusive
Asia is on track to become the giant of the world, and India, China and Global South must work together to achieve this goal, Sri Lanka’s former President and Prime Minister, Ranil Wickremesinghe, told Sputnik in an exclusive interview a day before his arrest.
“Asia is on track to become the giant of the world. India and China have to work together — there’s no alternative,” Wickremesinghe said, calling for deeper cooperation as global power balances evolve.
Highlighting economic growth as the region’s greatest opportunity, he however, raised concerns over US tariffs, which he warned are hurting export-heavy economies.
“US tariff policy is disrupting the economy of the region, especially India, which has been looking at closer trade relations with the US and using it as an export market,” he noted.
Wickremesinghe emphasized that countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, and Nepal depend heavily on apparel exports, and US tariffs are a “significant negative factor.” The US and EU are major markets where Sri Lanka enjoys a trade surplus, while trade with India, China, and Japan is largely in deficit, he explained.
“These tariffs can harm us. It's an even bigger issue for Bangladesh, and the same goes for Pakistan and Nepal,” he added, highlighting that India also faces challenges from US pressure over its purchases of Russian oil.
Further, the Ex-President and PM confirmed Sri Lanka’s formal application to join BRICS, calling it a crucial move to diversify global power structures.
“BRICS can be the organization that unites non-Western countries. We also haven’t fully explored its trade potential. This current global shift is forcing us to do that — to create another economic bloc,” he explained.
Wickremesinghe sees BRICS as a counterbalance to Western-centric trade policies and a potential bridge to cooperation with RCEP nations, the African Union, and Latin America.
Commenting on India-China ties, Wickremesinghe acknowledged tensions but saw signs of progress amid the rapprochement that begun last year.
“China and India are the two giants of Asia, and Asia is on track to becoming the giant of the world. These two countries have to work together. They're building on cooperation through organizations like BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization,” he said. “Both countries must trade with each other. Their markets are large enough. They can't just produce for the world; they must produce for each other.”
He stressed the need to avoid great power rivalry in the Indian Ocean. Most Indian Ocean nations, he said, including Sri Lanka, have managed to balance ties with both India and China, and must continue to do so with mutual respect, he added.
Wickremesinghe also welcomed growing ties with Russia, especially in trade and tourism.
“Russian trade is entering the Indian Ocean in a new way,” he said. “We want more trade with Russia. We’ve seen many Russian tourists visiting Sri Lanka, especially during our worst economic crisis in 2022 and 2023, and we are thankful. Russia buys our tea, but there’s more scope,” the former president emphasized.
He highlighted higher education as another area of growing cooperation: more Sri Lankans are studying in Russia than ever before.
Watch the full interview below.
