Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa welcomes the US tariff cut on Sri Lankan goods but insists true economic relief will only come if rates drop below 15%. His latest statement highlights the urgency for deeper trade reform to support struggling exporters.
Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has expressed cautious approval of the United States’ decision to reduce the reciprocal tariff on Sri Lankan imports to 20%. While calling the move a positive step, he stressed that it falls short of offering real relief to Sri Lanka’s exporters.
In a recent post on his official social media account, Premadasa argued that for the export sector to truly benefit and remain competitive in the global market, the tariff must be reduced further, to below 15%.
The US had previously imposed a 44% reciprocal tariff on Sri Lankan goods, significantly affecting the country’s apparel and manufacturing exports. Though the revised 20% rate has been welcomed by many in the industry, Premadasa’s remarks highlight growing concerns among policymakers and exporters that the reduction may not be sufficient to restore trade momentum.
As Sri Lanka works to revive its foreign trade and increase revenue through exports, Premadasa’s call for further tariff cuts underscores the importance of proactive trade negotiations. According to analysts, lowering US tariffs to less than 15% could give Sri Lankan exporters a much-needed competitive edge, especially as countries like India and Vietnam continue to enjoy more favourable trade terms with Washington.
Premadasa’s statement signals a push for more aggressive diplomacy to unlock export growth and protect local industries that remain vulnerable to global economic shifts.
