Namal welcomes US tariff cut, urges transparency on trade agreement

Welcoming the reduction of the United States tariff rates on Sri Lankan exports to 20%, SLPP National Organizer Namal Rajapaksa called on the Government to ensure transparency regarding the agreements made to obtain the tariff reductions.

In a post on X, Rajapaksa congratulated the NPP Government for what he described as persistent engagement with US trade representatives to secure the concession.

“Encouraging to see the United States tariff rates cut down to 20% which now puts us with Vietnam and Bangladesh and I congratulate the NPP Government for being persistent in its discussions with the US trade representatives,” he stated.

“I call on the Government to be transparent on the ‘meaningful trade and security agreements’ reached with the US Government in order to get the tariff reductions,” he said.

Furthermore, he stressed the importance of balancing economic gains with national interest, adding, “While we have to ensure that our exporters get relief and can compete in the global market, we also have to ensure that all agreements reached with international partners are transparent and will not affect the sovereignty of the country.”