The United States has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding economic ties with Sri Lanka, as US Ambassador Julie Chung championed Donald Trump’s trade policies in a speech at the Rotary Club Joint Meeting on March 12.
While touting Sri Lanka as a key partner, Chung placed heavy emphasis on Trump’s "America First" vision, which she argued does "not mean America alone" but rather signals a new phase of US-led economic expansion.
"In the United States, President Trump outlined the clear priorities of making America safer, stronger, and more prosperous," she said. "These priorities include fostering economic growth, enhancing national security, and promoting international trade. He has also been very clear that “America First” does NOT mean “America alone.”
This latest declaration of economic engagement comes despite Sri Lanka’s continued human rights violations, military occupation of the Tamil homeland, and refusal to engage in meaningful accountability efforts for war crimes. While the US State Department has previously been critical of Sri Lanka’s human rights record, Washington has continued to support and legitimise Colombo’s government, particularly in the economic and trade sectors.
Ambassador Chung described the US-Sri Lanka relationship as “strong and enduring”, highlighting over a century of economic engagement. Since 1956, she noted, US-backed initiatives have contributed to Sri Lanka’s health, business, agriculture, and governance sectors. However, such partnerships have historically been selective in their focus—targeting economic growth while largely sidestepping the island’s entrenched ethnic conflicts and the unresolved legacy of mass atrocities committed against Tamils.
“Under President Trump’s vision, we are doubling down on championing U.S. businesses with bold commercial advocacy, slashing barriers to market access in our own country, and partnering with friends like Sri Lanka to forge a leaner, more competitive investment climate that delivers jobs and growth for both our nations,” she said.
Chung heralded Sri Lanka as being at the cusp of a “new era of opportunity”, particularly for American businesses looking to invest in energy, infrastructure, agribusiness, tech innovation, and tourism. Under Trump’s leadership, the US government has pledged “bold commercial advocacy” and the removal of market barriers to encourage American investment abroad. However, this aggressive economic push raises concerns about whether the US is willing to overlook Sri Lanka’s continued military occupation and oppression of Tamils in pursuit of commercial gain.
“President Trump is prioritizing a robust and reinvigorated trade policy that promotes investment and productivity, enhances the United States’s industrial and technological capabilities, defends our economic and national security, and benefits American workers, manufacturers, farmers, ranchers, entrepreneurs, and businesses,” continued Chung.
The US remains Sri Lanka’s largest export market, making Washington a key economic player in Colombo’s attempts to revive its debt-ridden economy.
Beyond trade, US-Sri Lanka military cooperation is also expanding rapidly. Chung highlighted the US military’s growing role in training and equipping the Sri Lankan armed forces, particularly in maritime security.
Key developments in this partnership include, US Navy port calls and joint exercises, the establishment of a Sri Lankan Marine Corps with US assistance, support for the National Defence College for senior security officials and provision of military hardware, including a King Air maritime patrol aircraft and multiple ex-US Coast Guard cutters.
Chung celebrated Sri Lanka’s increased security leadership in the region, pointing to its newfound role in countering illicit trafficking and securing international sea lanes. She noted that Sri Lanka deployed a naval vessel in Operation Prosperity Guardian, a US-led mission to protect shipping lanes in the Arabian Sea from Houthi attacks.