Premadasa flags highest US tariff on apparel exports

Friday, 13 February 2026 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa

Opposition Leader Sajith Premadasa has criticised the Government over what he described as Sri Lanka facing the highest tariff rate in the region on apparel exports to the US, cautioning that it would erode competitiveness in a key foreign exchange earning sector.

In a post on ‘X,’ Premadasa noted that Bangladesh had secured a tariff rate of 19% and India 18%, while Sri Lanka remained at 20% without sector-specific concessions for garments.

“With 70% of US exports being garments, a 20% tariff will make Sri Lankan products significantly less competitive than other alternatives,” he said.

Premadasa contended that maintaining the highest tariff among regional peers would disadvantage Sri Lankan exporters in the US market, particularly given the heavy concentration of apparel in shipments to the US.