A high-level Sri Lankan Government delegation will leave for Washington, D.C. on Friday (18 July) for final negotiations aimed at securing further reductions in US tariffs on Sri Lankan exports, Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath confirmed yesterday.
The visit comes ahead of the revised US tariff regime’s implementation on 1 August. The regime has already lowered duties on Sri Lankan exports from 44% to 30%, but exporters and Opposition lawmakers have urged the Government to push for deeper cuts to remain competitive in the region.
“This is part of our ongoing diplomacy and economic engagement with the US. The objective is to continue these discussions and negotiate for additional concessions for our exports,” Minister Herath told journalists.
Exporters have warned that Sri Lankan products remain vulnerable in the US market as regional competitors, including Bangladesh and Vietnam, are lobbying for further concessions and already enjoy lower tariff rates. Sri Lanka’s exports to the US are worth around USD 3 billion annually, with apparel dominating the trade basket.
