Sri Lanka, July 28 -- The Planters' Association of Ceylon (PA) has expressed grave concern over the United States' decision to impose a 30% tariff on Sri Lankan tea and rubber exports, set to take effect from August 1st. The Association warns that this move could devastate two of Sri Lanka's most historic and employment-intensive sectors, tea and rubber undermining decades of market-building and trade diplomacy.

PA is calling for urgent interventions, particularly as key competitor nations like Vietnam and India are already in talks to secure reduced tariffs, while Indonesia has already finalized a preferential trade deal.Tea Industry at a Critical Juncture

Ceylon tea had enjoyed a zero duty access to US markets and with this move, ther...