Sri Lanka and the United States agreed to continue the discussions on reciprocal tariff with the objective of finalising a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries,the President’s Media Division (PMD) said.
A statement issued by the PMD said both sides expressed the desire to finalise the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The PMD said a Sri Lankan delegation met US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on 22 April, 2025 at the US Trade Representative Office in Washington DC.
The Sri Lankan delegation, on the instructions of President Anura Kumara Dissanayake, who is also the Minister of Finance, handed over the originals of communications addressed to US Trade Representative Ambassador Greer on behalf of the Government of Sri Lanka.
The delegation updated Ambassador Greer on the challenges that Sri Lanka has faced in the past and the steps that are being taken by the Government of Sri Lanka to overcome future challenges and move towards full economic recovery.
The Sri Lankan delegation also 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 tariff and non-tariff barriers.
Ambassador Greer was appreciative of the proposals that Sri Lanka has made in order to commence negotiations and expressed the hope that an agreement can be reached soon between the two countries to ensure fair and equitable trade relations.
Later on that day, the Sri Lankan delegation met the USTR delegation appointed by Ambassador Greer and led by Assistant United States Trade Representative, In-charge of South and Central Asia, Brendan Lynch along with Director In-charge of South Asia, Emily Ashby to discuss further the offer made in writing by Sri Lanka to the US.
The two sides agreed to continue the discussions with the objective of finalising a bilateral trade agreement between the two countries. Both sides expressed the desire to finalise the agreement in the shortest possible time period.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity and direct investment policy, and overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the President’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.