The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition
Hon. Sajith Premadasa said the Opposition would provide bipartisan support to secure a favourable outcome on US tariffs, noting the importance of the US market for Sri Lankan exports and apparel. While welcoming the reduction from 44 per cent to 30 per cent, he argued that Sri Lanka must assess its competitiveness against exporters such as Vietnam, India and Bangladesh, given the price sensitivity of apparel. He proposed intensive diplomatic engagement over the next three weeks with US trade agencies, Congressional Sri Lanka Caucuses and the White House, including the Chief of Staff, to protect export earnings and around 350,000 apparel jobs.
Verbatim record (translated)
Machine-translated from Sinhala / Tamil / English¶ 01 Mr. Deputy Speaker, on that very matter, let me say this is a nationally important issue. At the outset, I state that we will extend bipartisan support to secure the best possible deal for our country. Hon. Minister, let me remind you: 26.4% of our exports go to the US, and around 60% of apparel exports are destined to the US.
¶ 02 While the reduction from 44% to 30% is welcome, it is not enough to look only at our own reduction. We must assess our competitive position relative to peers exporting to the US—Vietnam, India, Bangladesh, etc.—because apparel is highly price-sensitive. Even small price movements can cost us the market. Therefore, I propose that in the next three weeks there be an intense, cross-cutting diplomatic engagement.
¶ 03 Engagement should not be limited to the US Department of Commerce and the US Trade Representative, but also include the US Senate and House Sri Lanka Caucuses. Furthermore, even if proposals come via Commerce and USTR, the White House can change them; thus, establishing direct channels with the White House, including the Chief of Staff, is crucial to protect our export sector—especially 350,000 jobs in apparel.
Provenance
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- Hansard, Friday, 11 July 2025 ·No. 1753082553092748 ·English daily/uncorrected Hansard
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Cite as: The Hon. Sajith Premadasa - Leader of the Opposition. 10th Parliament, Parliament of Sri Lanka. Hansard, 11 July 2025. No. 1753082553092748. Politick, https://staging.politick.io/lk/speeches/21064