Colombo, Oct. 12 (Daily Mirror) - In a bid to reduce the trade balance, which is in Sri Lanka's favour, the U.S. led a strategic mission recently by sending Montana Governor Greg Gianforte to explore the possibility of exporting food items and strengthening cooperation in critical minerals and defence cooperation.
According to a news item published by the Governor's office in Montana, a key food-producing state, he met with Sri Lankan government leaders representing trade, industry, and defence to strengthen Montana’s longstanding partnership with Sri Lanka and expand opportunities in agriculture, critical minerals, advanced manufacturing, and security cooperation.
“Montana and Sri Lanka have built a strong relationship through our National Guard partnership, and we’re working to build on that foundation in ways that benefit both of our people,” Gov. Gianforte said. “From strengthening the market for Montana producers to strengthening critical mineral and defence cooperation, there are real opportunities ahead for both the United States and Sri Lanka.”
He met with the Deputy Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Chathuranga Abeysinghe, to discuss shared opportunities in advanced manufacturing, entrepreneurship, and investment.
In the meeting, the governor highlighted Montana’s more than century-long history in mining and the expertise at Montana Technological University in mining engineering, geology, metallurgy, mineral processing, environmental engineering, and mine safety. The leaders discussed opportunities to connect that expertise with Sri Lanka’s vein graphite resources, including cooperation in mine safety, mineral research, processing, and value-added development, according to the news item.
Gov. Gianforte later met with Deputy Minister of Defence Major General Aruna Jayasekara to discuss the longstanding partnership between Sri Lanka and the Montana National Guard. Since 2021, the Montana National Guard has partnered with Sri Lanka through the State Partnership Programme with cooperation focused on disaster response, engineering, aviation, maritime security, and interoperability. Most recently, Montana National Guard soldiers and airmen joined Sri Lankan counterparts during Atlas Angel II for training focused on humanitarian assistance and disaster response. During the meeting, Gov. Gianforte expressed his condolences for the lives lost during Cyclone Ditwah and commended Sri Lanka’s government, military, first responders, and people for their response.
In Montana, U.S. food items such as chickpeas and lentils are largely produced.
A spokesman for Sri Lanka's Essential Food Commodities Importers' and Traders' Association said quality products are available there but prices may not be viable here because high freight cost.
He said the government should give them a duty reduction for exports from the U.S. for competitive pricing.
Under the Trump administration, the U.S. has initiated tariff talks with the countries with trade deficits.
U.S. goods trade (exports plus imports) with Sri Lanka totalled an estimated $3.5 billion in 2025, according to the U.S. trade office.
U.S. goods exports to Sri Lanka in 2025 were $368.8 million, up 0.6 per cent ($2.2 million) from 2024. U.S. goods imports from Sri Lanka totalled $3.1 billion in 2025, up 3.2 per cent ($96.5 million) from 2024. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Sri Lanka was $2.7 billion in 2025, a 3.6 per cent increase ($94.4 million) over 2024.