A Bangladeshi delegation will meet with the United States officials on Wednesday to negotiate the newly imposed tariffs. Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman will represent Bangladesh. They have already held several meetings with US officials there.
On Monday, Donald Trump sent a letter to Muhammad Yunus, announcing the imposition of a 35% tariff on all Bangladeshi goods from August 1. Despite the significant trade deficit with Bangladesh, the US is eager to continue working together, but โon a more balanced and fair-trade basis.โ
Trump also warned that if Bangladesh increases the tariffs, he will impose additional tariffs.
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In April, the Trump administration imposed 10% tariffs on nearly all of its trading partners. But separate tariffs on dozens of countries were put on hold until July 9. They were then pushed back to August 1.
On Tuesday, Trump said that the countries to which the letters were sent should understand that this was a final decision. There would be no further waivers or extensions of the tariffs.

Exporters concerned
In terms of monetary value, ready-made garments account for 87% of Bangladeshโs exports to the United States. Entrepreneurs in this sector are also expecting positive results in negotiations with the US.
Although the government has expressed optimism, the manufacturing and garment sector has had mixed reactions to the 35% tariff letter announced by Trump.
Bangladesh Chamber of Industries President Anwar Ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez told Bonik Barta: “Nothing is being shared by the government. It is still being said that we are in discussions. In April, I sat with the trade advisor and the international relations advisor. It was explained to them that there is a practice of appointing lobbyists when any bill or announcement comes from the US. Because we cannot understand what the lobbyist can explain to the US administration in the way that we want. The US is used to working in this system. It was also stated that BGMEA-BKMEA will provide funding if necessary. In any case, the Commerce Secretary continued discussions with USTR in this process. Now we see there is no result.โ
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Anwar ul Alam Chowdhury Parvez, stating that the businessmen are still optimistic, said: โThere is definitely a strong point in the governmentโs negotiation process. Our advisors are currently in the country. If you look at what other countries have done, you will see that 16 business leaders from Indonesia have gone to the United States for the negotiation process. We now have to work harder. Vietnam started working before the imposition of tariffs. The country has consistently kept itself involved in this process. We also needed much stronger persuasion. We may have assumed that nothing would happen to us. It is wrong to think like that. The United States is still saying that it will negotiate. We have to be prepared for that; otherwise, it will be difficult to come out of this situation.โ
Mahmud Hasan Khan, president of the garment manufacturers and exporters’ association BGMEA, told Bonik Barta: “The impact of the new announcement is definitely negative. We are dependent on the US for 20% of the total exports of the garment sector. If Bangladesh’s competitiveness decreases compared to countries like India, Vietnam, and Pakistan, then its dependence on the US in exports will be affected. If its competitiveness decreases, the US will buy clothes from those countries.
โThey will move away from Bangladesh. If not all of them, a large part will move away. Factories whose production capacity depends on US orders will be greatly affected. Factories will close down due to tolerance. If factory entrepreneurs rush to other markets, they will face intense competition there too. This will disrupt the supply chain, increase supply more than demand, and buyers will reduce product prices. This is the impact, which is a big blow or setback for us.”
Mostafiz Uddin, Managing Director of Denim Expert Limited in Chittagong, told the Bangla Tribune: “With a 50% tariff, US buyers will lose interest in buying Bangladeshi garments. This could lead to a major collapse in exports. Not only in the US, but it could also have an impact on the European market. Because then many European buyers will use this opportunity to create pressure to reduce prices.”
Discontent among exporters is growing due to the lack of progress in trade talks with the US. The UK and Vietnam have already signed agreements with the US. Washington has also said that India is close to an agreement. However, Bangladesh has only now entered into formal talks.
What are the talking points?
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, who will join the advisers in the US, said that since the door of negotiations is open, they can expect some outcome. โWe want there to be no reciprocal tariffs on us, and the other conditions that have been given should also be relaxed.โ
He said that the government is planning to reduce the trade deficit between Bangladesh and the United States with the aim of reducing tariffs. As part of this, he also said that the United States will be given priority in purchasing fruit drinks in the government sector. The US will also be given importance in purchasing aircraft and military equipment.
The US has asked Bangladesh to reduce tariffs. โWe should reduce tariffs, VAT, supplementary duty, and regulatory duty in stages. They have made such proposals. We will take a final decision after discussing it with the NBR and sitting with other government stakeholders.โ
He hinted that the government would place some orders to buy Boeing flights soon.
What did the Biden administration seek from Sheikh Hasina?
โWe have negotiated with Boeing in that way. Besides, we will promote cotton imports. You know that cotton is already duty-free. But we will set up some facilities here to increase American cotton imports. A large part of our military equipment is also purchased from America. We are also considering those areas.โ
Asked what weapons he means by military equipment, Mahbubur Rahman said: โWhat is meant by military hardware is our vehicles, armoured vehicles, etc. Most of what we procure is from America. There is no pressure from them there. They have said that when it is purchased, we should give it importance. They have said the same in the case of other machinery. We have no difficulty in agreeing to that.โ