Staff reporter :
BNP Standing Committee member and former commerce minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has termed the United States’ decision to reduce the reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi exports from 35percent to 20percent as a “satisfactory situation” for the country’s export competitiveness.
Addressing journalists at his Gulshan residence on Friday, Khasru said the revised tariff structure places Bangladesh on relatively even footing with key regional competitors.
“This is not about victory or defeat,” he noted. “We are now at a 20percent tariff rate – Pakistan stands at 19percent, Vietnam at 20percent, and India at 25percent. In this context, the new rate puts us in a reasonable position in terms of trade competitiveness.”
However, the senior BNP leader expressed caution, pointing out that the complete framework of the deal has not been made public. “We’ve only been told about the tariff adjustment. But a negotiation of this scale is never limited to a single figure. We must know what other terms or concessions were part of the agreement. Only then can we assess the full impact on our economy,” he said.
Khasru stressed the need for transparency from the caretaker administration, urging it to disclose the details of the negotiation process, particularly in light of Bangladesh’s broader trade engagements. “Our trade isn’t just limited to the US – we must evaluate our position globally. This decision cannot be viewed in isolation,” he added.
When asked whether the tariff cut might be connected to Bangladesh’s recent decision to purchase 25 Boeing aircraft from the US, Khasru hinted at possible quid pro quo arrangements. “Let’s not be naive. These deals often come as part of a package – the tariff issue may well be linked to commercial interests in aviation and beyond. The US has its strategic and economic motivations,” he said.
Khasru concluded by welcoming the relief the tariff cut may offer to Bangladeshi exporters in the short term, but reiterated the importance of a broader, long-term assessment.
“This is just one piece of a much larger puzzle. We must keep our national interests at the forefront while navigating such trade arrangements.”
