JAAF welcomes revised 20% US tariff on Sri Lankan apparel

The Joint Apparel Association Forum (JAAF) has welcomed the revised reciprocal tariff rate of 20 per cent on Sri Lankan exports to the United States and commended the Government of Sri Lanka for its steadfast efforts in securing this critical outcome for the apparel sector.

JAAF has welcomed the revised 20 per cent US tariff on Sri Lankan apparel exports, praising President Dissanayake and officials for securing a fair outcome.
It also commended ambassador Samarasinghe and the Washington embassy for their role.
The move aligns Sri Lanka with regional peers and helps preserve competitiveness while supporting ethical, sustainable trade.

JAAF extends its sincere gratitude to President Anura Kumara Dissanayake for his leadership, and to the negotiating team led by Dr. Harshana Suriyapperuma, secretary to the Treasury, for their pragmatic and sustained engagement since the initial tariff announcement in April. Their appreciation is also directed toward the tireless efforts throughout this complex process, which have been instrumental in achieving a fair and competitive outcome for Sri Lankan exporters.

The association also wishes to acknowledge the invaluable role played by Mahinda Samarasinghe, ambassador of Sri Lanka to the United States, and the Sri Lankan Embassy in Washington, DC. Their ongoing diplomatic engagement and advocacy were pivotal in facilitating constructive dialogue with US stakeholders, JAAF said in a release.

The revised tariff rate brings Sri Lanka into closer alignment with other leading apparel-exporting nations in the region—including Bangladesh, Cambodia, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Pakistan—thereby ensuring a more level playing field and preserving the competitiveness of Sri Lanka’s apparel industry in the key US markets.

JAAF remains firmly committed to working in close partnership with the Government of Sri Lanka and its counterparts in the United States to promote ethical labour practices, environmental sustainability, and innovation in apparel manufacturing. The association is confident that these shared values, combined with continued diplomatic engagement, will contribute to deeper bilateral trade relations, and pave the way for further tariff reductions in the future.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)