Foreign Minister and US Ambassador discuss tariff crisis

Wednesday, 9 April 2025 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath

Foreign Affairs Minister Vijitha Herath held a high-level discussion with US Ambassador to Sri Lanka Julie Chung at the Ministry premises on Monday.

The meeting, convened as part of the Government’s urgent diplomatic response, focused on preserving Sri Lanka-US trade relations, whilst assessing the economic fallout of the US tariff policy on key Sri Lankan export sectors—particularly apparel which accounts for over 40% of exports to the US.

Minister Herath highlighted the importance of a reassessment of the US tariff decision, arguing that its timing could jeopardise Sri Lanka’s hard-earned economic recovery and its commitments under the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Fund Facility. He reiterated that Sri Lanka, recovering from its 2022 economic crisis, requires predictable and fair trade conditions to sustain its 5% growth projection for 2014.

Ambassador Chung, in a subsequent post via ‘X’ acknowledged the significance of the discussion, stressing the US commitment to a reciprocal, fair trade relationship. “Had a productive discussion with Foreign Minister Vijitha Herath @HMVijithaHerath on rebalancing Sri Lanka’s trading relationship with the US. I emphasised the importance of reciprocal treatment for US exports. A fair, balanced trade relationship supports economic growth, creates jobs, and strengthens industries in both our countries,” she wrote.

The meeting was also attended by Foreign Affairs Minister Secretary Aruni Ranaraja, Secretary to the Ministry, Economic Affairs Director General Darshana M. Perera, and Europe and North America Division Director General Sugeeshwara Gunaratne.

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