“Trump’s MAGA is racist” - Sri Lankan Government Minister

Sri Lankan Minister of Industries, Sunil Handunnetti, a key ally of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, has sharply criticized U.S. President Donald J. Trump's "Make America Great Again" (MAGA), labeling it "racist propaganda akin to that of some leaders in Sri Lanka," potentially referencing their political rivals, the Rajapaksas.

Minister Handunnetti, a prominent figure in the ruling NPP party, expressed concern over the recently imposed 44% tariff hike on Sri Lankan goods. He warned that while the tariff is currently impacting Sri Lanka, the shock will ultimately fall on the American people. In a similar threat made by Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Mr. Sunil warned that, "The American middle class, which is not as wealthy as Donald Trump, will feel the pain of losing essential Sri Lankan imports," he stated, implying that Americans rely heavily on Sri Lankan-made apparel.

He further attributed the Trump administration's unfair trade policies to the absence of a strong leftist political force in the United States. "If a progressive leftist party like ours (NPP) existed in the U.S., Trump's action is enough to incite a movement to change the government," he declared, drawing a parallel to the NPP's rise to power, which followed widespread violent unrest supported by the NPP.

Despite the trade tensions, Minister Handunnetti expressed high confidence in his government's ability to diversify its export markets, particularly towards India. "We aim to increase exports to India," he emphasized, signaling a clear shift in Sri Lanka's foreign policy. His remarks came on the eve of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Colombo.