Opposition MP Harsha de Silva has questioned the government on the progress regarding the US tariff deal, as Sri Lanka reaches the July 09 deadline for negotiations.
Taking to ‘X’, MP Harsha de Silva queried if the government will be able to negotiate a better deal than Vietnam, which announced this week that it had brought down its 46% reciprocal tariff to 20%.
The MP pointed out that India was working around the clock to finalise a deal, including some HS codes to come down to zero, and thereafter, they are planning on a comprehensive trade deal later this year.
“When I questioned in Parliament as to the current status of the tariff negotiations with the US, Minister Anil Jayantha boasted that Sri Lanka is the only country in Asia negotiating a deal with the US ahead of the July 9 deadline and said major progress and positive results are expected,” he said.
MP de Silva said that President Anura Kumara Dissanayake and his government promised the people they knew what they were doing and would not only ensure the stability of the economy but also register strong growth.
“They said a joint statement was to be issued by the two nations, but that turned out to be another tall story, like most of their stories. There are a few more days, and let us give them the benefit of the doubt. But if they don’t deliver, then what? What are plans B and C? Who is leading the strategy on this? Lies won’t do this time,” he warned. (Newswire)
Will #SriLanka strike a better US tariff deal than #Vietnam? When I questioned in @ParliamentLK as to current status of the tariff negotiations with the US, Min Anil Jayantha boasted #SriLanka is the only country in Asia negotiating a deal with the US ahead of July 9 deadline and… pic.twitter.com/J5gqSBZGS9
— Harsha de Silva (@HarshadeSilvaMP) July 4, 2025
The post Harsha questions Govt on US tariff deal ahead of deadline appeared first on Newswire.