In a significant development on the trade diplomacy front, Sri Lanka is making a renewed push to address the high tariff barriers imposed on its exports by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. The move comes as part of broader efforts to safeguard Sri Lanka’s key export markets and secure more favorable trade terms amid ongoing economic recovery efforts.
The President’s Media Division confirmed that a high-level Sri Lankan delegation will travel to Washington, D.C., following an invitation from the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The upcoming in-person discussions are expected to focus primarily on the proposed 44% tariff on Sri Lankan exports — a substantial blow considering the U.S. remains one of Sri Lanka’s largest export destinations, accounting for approximately $3 billion annually.
This marks the second in-person engagement between the two nations on tariff-related concerns, complementing several virtual meetings held over the past months. These discussions reflect both countries’ commitment to strengthening bilateral trade relations and finding collaborative solutions that support economic stability and growth.
In preparation for the talks, President Anura Kumara Dissanayake convened a strategic high-level meeting to streamline the national approach and ensure that Sri Lanka’s economic interests are firmly advocated during the discussions. The deliberations centered around aligning the delegation’s objectives with the country’s overarching economic strategy.
Key figures in attendance included:
– Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, Deputy Minister of Finance and Planning
– K.A. Vimalenthirarajah, Secretary to the Ministry of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development
– Duminda Hulangamuwa, Senior Economic Adviser to the President
– Dr. Nandalal Weerasinghe, Governor of the Central Bank
– K.M.M. Siriwardana, Secretary to the Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development
– Nirmal Vigneshwaran, representing the Attorney General’s Department
– Dharshana Perera from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The outcome of the upcoming discussions in Washington will be closely watched, as it may significantly influence the trajectory of Sri Lanka-U.S. trade ties and shape the island nation’s export landscape moving forward.