The EU is illogically using trade deals to achieve non- trade ends, reported the Financial Times (FT) and stressed that EU's decision to suspend GSP + trade privileges would eventually throw thousands of Sri Lankan employees out of work.

"Given the country’s wealth and status, standards in the clothing industry of Sri Lanka are pretty high. It is widely recognised, not least by Victoria’s Secret and other western brands that source there, that its factories are environmentally sensitive and relatively respectful of labour rights. Those standards helped Sri Lanka qualify for special trade access to the European Union four years ago, and have continued to improve," the report said further.

The FT called it a perverse action to punish the clothing industry and other exporters to achieve political goals.

Using trade as a strategic tool makes the global trading system hostage to endless political posturing and negotiating games. Governments should grant trade preferences on simple, fair criteria, largely based on the poverty and vulnerability of trading partners. Trade deals should be a means for poor countries to haul themselves out of poverty, not a tool of foreign policy manipulation by their richer counterparts. Sri Lanka’s exporters have used their access to the European market well. They should keep it, pointed out the FT report.

"In extremis, trade restrictions are a legitimate means to isolate the most vile abusers of human rights, particularly when an authoritarian government controls the entire country and its economy. That is not the case here," stressed the FT.