Sri Lanka pushes for trade deal with US

• Tables proposals in Washington

Sri Lanka has ramped up its push for stronger trade ties with the United States, with a high-level delegation meeting officials in Washington D.C. this week to hand over the formal proposals and kick start talks on a bilateral trade agreement.

The delegation, acting under the directive of President and Finance Minister Anura Kumara Dissanayake, met United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer on April 22 and officially presented the communications outlining Sri Lanka’s intention to engage on reciprocal tariff arrangements.

During the meeting, the delegation updated the USTR on the economic challenges Sri Lanka has faced in recent years and the reforms currently underway to steer the country towards recovery.

“The Sri Lankan delegation highlighted the prompt and positive commitment of the government of Sri Lanka to work with the US government in reducing the trade deficit and lowering the tariff and non-tariff barriers,” the President’s Media Division said in a statement.

Greer, according to the statement, was “appreciative” of Sri Lanka’s proposals and expressed optimism that both countries could soon arrive at an agreement to ensure “fair and equitable trade relations”.

Later that day, the delegation held follow-up discussions with a team appointed by Greer, led by Assistant USTR for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch and Director for South Asia Emily Ashby.

The two sides explored the details of Sri Lanka’s written offer and agreed to continue talks aimed at finalising a trade pact.