Bangladesh Expects Tariff Deal with US to Benefit Both Countries: Press Secretary
US President Donald J. Trump sent a letter on Monday to Chief Adviser of the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, announcing to impose a 35 percent tariff on Bangladeshi products. In the letter, Trump stated that from August 1, Bangladeshi goods entering the United States would be subjected to such 35 percent tariff. However, he also kept the door open for bilateral tariff negotiations, indicating that parts of the letter could be reconsidered. Referring to President Trump's letter to the Chief Adviser, Chief Adviser's Press Secretary, Shafiqul Alam, in a post on his verified Facebook page today, said that a Bangladeshi trade delegation, led by Commerce Adviser Sk. Bashir Uddin, is currently in the United States and has already held several rounds of meeting with the US trade and tariff officials. Another scheduled round of talks is set to take place tomorrow.
Expressing his hope that the ongoing bilateral discussions with the US administration would lead to a positive outcome, the Press Secretary wrote, "Dhaka is looking forward to a tariff deal with Washington DC, which will be win-win for both countries." National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman is also a part of the Bangladeshi delegation. Meanwhile, referring to the US President's letter to the Chief Adviser, Golam Mortoza, Minister (Press) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington DC, wrote on his verified Facebook page. "The 35 percent... is not a final decision. Talks are going on. The next discussion is scheduled for July 9. Bangladesh is making its utmost efforts for a good outcome, and that possibility is not yet over." In his letter to the Chief Adviser, Trump wrote, "The United State of America has agreed to continue working with Bangladesh, despite having a significant Trade Deficit with your great country."
He, however, added: "If you wish to open your heretofore closed Trading Markets to the United States, and eliminate your Tariff and Non Tariff, Policies and Trade Barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter." Notably, alongside Bangladesh, the US announced revised tariffs on a total of 14 countries, including South Korea and Japan. These letters were published on Truth Social Account. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated that similar tariff-related letters may be sent to more countries in the coming days. Among the 14 countries, there are major US trading partners, including Japan and South Korea. In the letters sent to these countries, Trump said that the reciprocal tariffs suspended in last April would return within three weeks possibly at even higher rates. In the letter, Trump mentioned that 25 percent tariff would be imposed on products from Tokyo and Seoul.
In addition, tariffs ranging from 25 to 40 percent were mentioned for 14 countries, including Indonesia, Bangladesh, Thailand, South Africa, and Malaysia. He also noted that the August deadline for reaching agreements could be flexible. Earlier, on April 3, US President Donald Trump had imposed reciprocal tariffs on several countries, setting a 37 percent tariff on Bangladeshi products at that time. It was later suspended for three months. Previously, Bangladeshi products faced an average tariff of 15 percent in the US market.
