Sri Lanka, June 5 -- Uncertainty in United States trade policy has underscored the need for Sri Lanka to strengthen relationships with more reliable trading partners and focus on higher value-added exports, according to industry experts.

The discussion comes against the backdrop of a recent US proposal to impose an additional 12.5% tariff on Sri Lankan exports, a move that has raised concern among exporters and policy analysts over increased volatility in international trade conditions.

Concerns over trade volatility

Chairman of the think tank LIRNEasia, Professor Rohan Samarajiva, said such policy shifts create significant instability for Sri Lankan exporters.

He noted:

"The main issue here is that it is impossible for exporters and...