EuroCham calls for equity in US trade concessions

Staff Reporter :

The European Union Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (EuroCham) has urged the interim government to ensure that European Union (EU) companies are not placed at a disadvantage in the event of any substantial trade concessions extended to the United States.

In a press release issued on Wednesday, EuroCham underscored the EU’s enduring role as Bangladesh’s most reliable and significant trading partner, accounting for approximately 50% of the country’s total exports. Since 2001, Bangladesh has benefitted from duty-free and quota-free access to the EU market under the Everything But Arms (EBA) initiative.

The chamber highlighted that Bangladesh continues to enjoy a markedly favourable trade balance with the EU. In 2024, bilateral trade between the two parties totalled €22 billion, with EU exports comprising just €2 billion-highlighting the substantial trade surplus in Bangladesh’s favour.

EuroCham also noted that EU businesses continue to face high tariffs and non-tariff barriers in the Bangladeshi market, which hamper their operations and export potential.

In its statement, the organisation called on the government to maintain a rules-based international trading framework and to prioritise trade policy and customs reforms. It stressed the need for equal and non-discriminatory treatment of all trading partners.

EuroCham concluded by reaffirming its commitment to working closely with the government to address current trade-related challenges and to support Bangladesh’s smooth and inclusive transition following its graduation from Least Developed Country (LDC) status.