Trying to keep conflict at arm’s length by distancing itself from the US could bring Sri Lanka’s economy ‘to its knees’, analysts say
Niruthan’s advice for Sri Lanka was to stay quiet and wait it out.
“The best possible option is to keep one’s head down and ride out the storm, rather than calling attention to ourselves and pasting a target on our own back,” he said. “Especially when there is nothing to gain by picking a side.”
Still, maintaining a position of neutrality would be easier said than done, Niruthan added.
Given the level of Sri Lanka’s exposure to the US market, trade retaliation “could bring the economy to its knees”, he said.
For now, Niruthan does not believe Washington considers Colombo “important enough to warrant any retaliation or reprisals”.
But that assessment “could change in a heartbeat”, he warned.
- https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/poli...st-us-warplanes-iran-war-risks-trade-backlash
- Nilanthan Niruthan, defence analyst
Niruthan’s advice for Sri Lanka was to stay quiet and wait it out.
“The best possible option is to keep one’s head down and ride out the storm, rather than calling attention to ourselves and pasting a target on our own back,” he said. “Especially when there is nothing to gain by picking a side.”
Still, maintaining a position of neutrality would be easier said than done, Niruthan added.
Given the level of Sri Lanka’s exposure to the US market, trade retaliation “could bring the economy to its knees”, he said.
For now, Niruthan does not believe Washington considers Colombo “important enough to warrant any retaliation or reprisals”.
But that assessment “could change in a heartbeat”, he warned.
- https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/poli...st-us-warplanes-iran-war-risks-trade-backlash
