Washington D.C., August 4, 2025 — Sri Lanka’s Ambassador to the United States, Mahinda Samarasinghe, has confirmed that diplomatic discussions are ongoing with the U.S. government to further reduce tariffs on key Sri Lankan exports.
Speaking to reporters following a trade forum hosted by the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, Ambassador Samarasinghe said the negotiations focus on improving access for apparel, rubber-based products, and agricultural goods—sectors that are vital to Sri Lanka’s export economy.
“Our aim is to ensure fairer market conditions for Sri Lankan producers and help small and medium-sized exporters remain competitive in a demanding global market,” he said. “We are in active dialogue with U.S. trade officials to secure more favourable tariff terms.”
The United States remains one of Sri Lanka’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade exceeding $3 billion annually. Apparel and textile exports account for a significant share of Sri Lanka’s outbound trade to the U.S., followed by industrial goods and tea.
Sri Lankan business leaders have long called for tariff reforms to support local industries facing rising costs and global competition. Several have welcomed the ambassador’s efforts, noting the importance of sustained diplomatic engagement to unlock long-term trade opportunities.
Ambassador Samarasinghe added that Sri Lanka’s broader strategy includes advocating for improved trade preferences through existing frameworks such as the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences (GSP), while exploring bilateral mechanisms for enhanced market access.
The discussions come at a critical time, as Sri Lanka works to stabilise its economy and rebuild investor confidence following years of fiscal pressure and global supply chain disruptions.
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