Gazi Anowar :
In a significant turn of events, the Trump administration has announced a 90-day suspension of retaliatory tariffs, opening a temporary diplomatic window for affected trading partners.
For Bangladesh, this presents both an opportunity and a challenge to recalibrate its foreign policy and economic engagement strategies with the United States.
The tariff pause, which comes amid growing global trade tensions, is seen by analysts as a calculated move to de-escalate pressure while leaving room for negotiation. Bangladesh, whose economy is heavily reliant on exports-particularly in the garments and textile sector-stands to gain if it can leverage this pause effectively.
Meanwhile, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has thanked US President Donald Trump for granting a 90-day pause on the reciprocal tariffs announced earlier this week.
In a post on X last night, Prof Yunus said: “Thank you, Mr President (@POTUS for responding positively to our request for 90-day pause on tariffs. We will continue to work with your administration in support of your trade agenda.”
On April 7, Prof Yunus sent a letter to Donald Trump requesting him to
postpone the application of a 37 percent tariff on Bangladeshi products in the US market.
Prominent economist Dr. Zahid Hasan told The New Nation, “The prompt letter sent by the Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus to the US administration was a commendable move.”
“It reflects diplomatic agility at the highest level.” said Dr. Hasan.
However, he warned that while the initial suspension is encouraging, 10% of the retaliatory tariffs still remain in place, and eliminating those will require intense, focused effort.
“The Trump administration has already outlined the specific reasons behind the tariff imposition in the Bangladesh chapter of its trade review,” he noted. And adding, “Now it’s up to Dhaka to address those issues proactively-particularly around labor rights and compliance. The faster we sit down with US officials, the better the outcome.
Other nations are in line, and competition for favorable treatment is real.”
Bangladesh’s recent efforts-including the launch of a high-profile Investment Summit in Dhaka-have been viewed positively by international observers and investors.
“The timing of the summit was very appropriate,” said Dr. Hasan. “It sent a message that Bangladesh is open for business and willing to reform.”
However, certain incidents have raised concerns. Dr. Hasan pointed to the recent looting of a Bata outlet and India’s imposition of transshipment barriers as negative signals that could undermine investor confidence and trade negotiations.
“These events are unfortunate and come at a sensitive time. But there’s no need for alarm,” he said. “If Bangladesh can manage these issues with competence, the broader message to the U.S. will remain positive.
In fact, given the ongoing US-China trade tension, Washington may prefer sourcing from Bangladesh, provided we position ourselves wisely.”
Economist Dr. Selim Raihan emphasized the urgency of the moment, stating that “These three months should not be seen as a time to rest.
This is a time to prepare. Bangladesh must apply strategic pressure and meaningful dialogue to show the United States that it is a trusted, fair, and responsible commercial partner.”
As the countdown begins, Dhaka is poised to use every diplomatic tool at its disposal to convert a temporary pause into a long-term opportunity.
Officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have indicated that a high-level delegation may visit Washington in the coming weeks to explore possibilities of securing long-term trade exemptions or enhanced market access.
Experts suggest that Bangladesh should prioritize the following diplomatic approaches during this window.
Proposed Diplomatic Roadmap for Bangladesh:
1. Strengthening Bilateral Dialogue
o Immediate steps are being taken to initiate high-level bilateral talks with the U.S. administration, especially at the level of trade secretaries and key policymakers.
o Bangladesh plans to highlight its progress on labor standards, environmental practices, and sustainability to counter any future tariff risks.
2. Business Lobbying and Task Force Formation
o The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C. is set to enhance its business lobbying efforts.
o A joint task force comprising top industry leader from BGMEA and BKMEA, along with government representatives, will be formed to engage consistently with American stakeholders.
3. Trade Diversification and Content Governance
o Beyond garments, Bangladesh aims to strengthen its diplomatic and commercial base for ICT, pharmaceuticals, leather, and agro-processed products in the U.S. market.
4. Strategic Alliance Building
o Discussions are underway to form a strategic coalition with nations like India, Vietnam, Indonesia, and select African developing countries. The goal is to present a united front against unilateral retaliatory trade actions by the U.S.
5. Leveraging the Bangladeshi Diaspora
o Bangladeshi-American business leaders and community influencers will be mobilized to lobby local Congress members and Senators, helping build a favorable image of Bangladesh as a responsible trade partner.
While the suspension is temporary, it is seen as a vital test of diplomatic agility for Dhaka. “If we fail to act decisively now, we might miss an opportunity to secure a more favorable trade environment in the long run,” warned Dr. Raihan.
As the countdown on the 90-day period begins, all eyes are on Bangladesh’s next moves on the global diplomatic chessboard.
Bangladesh’s ability to navigate this 90-day window may determine the trajectory of its trade relations with the U.S. for years to come. As policymakers move from intention to action, the pressure is on to ensure that Dhaka doesn’t just react to global trade shifts-but actively shapes them.
