US trade envoy Brendan Lynch in Bangladesh

Brendan Lynch, a senior United States trade official, arrived in Dhaka on Tuesday for a three-day visit aimed at reviewing progress in implementing the recently signed bilateral trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States.

Lynch, Assistant United States Trade Representative for South and Central Asia at the Office of the United States Trade Representative, is leading a delegation to hold discussions focused on strengthening trade and investment ties between the two countries.

Diplomatic sources in Dhaka said the visit will centre on follow-up discussions regarding the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, with particular attention to the implementation of key commitments.

These include reducing the trade imbalance, expanding Bangladesh’s imports of US agricultural and energy products, and advancing policy-level reforms agreed under the framework.

Officials noted that this is the first visit to Dhaka by a US trade representative since the formation of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government in February, signalling renewed engagement from Washington on trade cooperation.

During his stay, Lynch is scheduled to meet officials at the Ministry of Commerce, including Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktaadir. He is also expected to call on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hasan Mahmud Tuku, Agriculture Minister Mohammad Amin ur Rashid, the Prime Minister’s Adviser on Economy and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Adviser on Education and Primary and Mass Education Mahdi Amin, and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam.

A senior government official said the United States is keen to move forward with implementation of the agreement and that the visit is primarily intended to assess progress.

“They want to see how far we have advanced on commitments and what steps are needed next,” the official said.

Under the agreement, Bangladesh has pledged to increase imports of US agricultural products — including wheat, soybeans, cotton and maize — worth approximately $3.5 billion.

In addition, Dhaka has committed to importing energy products valued at around $15 billion from the United States over the next 15 years.

The United States Embassy in Dhaka said on Monday that the delegation would engage in discussions aimed at deepening bilateral trade and investment relations.

It expressed the view that the agreement would improve market access, reduce barriers to investment and expand commercial opportunities, thereby supporting economic growth in both countries.

The visit follows a series of high-level engagements between Dhaka and Washington in recent months.

In early March, US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Paul Kapur visited Bangladesh, followed by a mid-April visit by US Special Envoy Charles J Harder.

The trade agreement was signed during the final phase of the outgoing interim government, partly in response to tariff-related concerns.

As part of the arrangement, the United States reduced its countervailing tariff on Bangladeshi goods by one percentage point to 19 per cent.

Under the deal, Bangladesh has agreed to extend preferential market access to a range of US industrial and agricultural products, including chemicals, medical equipment, machinery, motor vehicles and parts, information and communication technology equipment, energy products, soybeans, dairy items, beef, poultry, nuts and fruits.

Bangladesh has also committed to removing several longstanding non-tariff barriers affecting US exporters.

These include accepting vehicles that meet US safety and environmental standards, allowing the import of medicines and medical equipment approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, and easing restrictions and licensing requirements on remanufactured goods.

In the digital trade sector, Dhaka has agreed to facilitate cross-border data flows and support the continuation of the World Trade Organization’s moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.

Efforts are also under way to modernise regulatory frameworks and digitise customs procedures.

To address the trade deficit, Bangladesh has undertaken specific commitments on agricultural imports, including importing at least 700,000 metric tonnes of wheat annually over the next five years, as well as purchasing soybeans and related products worth up to $1.25 billion within a year. Plans to increase cotton imports are also included.

The agreement further outlines Bangladesh’s intention to expand purchases of US aircraft, energy and defence equipment.

While Boeing is not explicitly named in the agreement, Bangladesh has recently signed a deal with the manufacturer to acquire 14 aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

In the energy sector, Bangladesh has pledged to increase long-term imports of US liquefied natural gas and other energy resources through extended supply contracts.

The defence component of the agreement also signals an intention to increase procurement of US military equipment while limiting purchases from certain other countries.

Officials in Dhaka view Lynch’s visit as an important step in sustaining momentum in bilateral economic relations, as both sides seek to translate commitments into tangible outcomes.