• Satisfactory progress made in initial discussions following tariff pause
• Govt. aims to preserve export competitiveness in key US market

Sri Lanka has been invited to the next stage of talks with the US over the tariffs imposed on exports as the island nation has made satisfactory progress in the discussions, Finance and Planning Deputy Minister Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma said.

Speaking at Parliament yesterday (8), he said as Sri Lanka was able to engage in timely discussions with the US there has been satisfactory progress in the talks.

On April 2, US President Donald Trump announced reciprocal tariffs for 180 of its trading partners, where Sri Lanka imposed a 44% tariff on its exports to the US, but later the tariffs were paused for 90 days except for China, opening up talks to get a better deal.

The US has long been Sri Lanka’s most important export destination, accounting for 23% of total merchandise exports in 2024. Sri Lanka exported $ 3.4 billion worth of goods to the US in 2024, out of which 70% are from the apparel sector, Sri Lanka imports from the US amounted $ 368.2 million last year.

Suriyapperuma said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake has exchanged letters with the US President on the work being done on the side of Sri Lanka and how the country is hoping to engage in tariff and non-tariff talks with the US.

He said Sri Lanka successfully concluded two rounds of physical discussions with the US trade representative’s office and has been invited for the next round of talks for which cabinet approval is being prepared at the moment.

He added that the result expected by the government from the talks is to maintain the competitive advantage the exporters had over the competitors in the region.