Staff Reporter :
The recently revised 20 per cent reciprocal tariff imposed by the United States on Bangladeshi imports is not yet finalised, leaving room for further negotiations, Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed confirmed on Wednesday.
Speaking to reporters following meetings of the Advisory Council Committees on Government Procurement and Economic Affairs, Dr Salehuddin stated that a formal agreement with Washington is still pending.
“Yes, we intend to pursue further negotiations,” he said when asked about the government’s next steps. “Although the Commerce Adviser has not yet returned, I have spoken with the Vice President of the US Chamber of Commerce, and their attitude towards Bangladesh remains positive.”
The Adviser highlighted a sense of goodwill among US business circles, crediting Bangladesh’s consistent record of honouring international financial commitments. He cited timely payments to companies such as Chevron and MetLife as examples that have helped strengthen trust.
“They recognise that Bangladesh does not default on payments, which builds credibility,” he noted.
Following several rounds of bilateral discussions, the US announced on 31 July a decision to lower its earlier-proposed 35 per cent tariff to 20 per cent. However, Dr Salehuddin emphasised that the final decision would only be taken after a thorough assessment of key export sectors and the scope for reciprocal import arrangements.
When asked whether the reduction offers any relief, the Adviser responded, “It’s reasonable, but not exactly a relief. A further reduction would have been more beneficial. Ideally, we should not be subject to such tariffs at all.”
Addressing concerns over the lack of public disclosure surrounding the tariff negotiations, Dr Salehuddin explained that confidentiality is essential in bilateral engagements. “These are not multilateral negotiations like those under the WTO or the United Nations.
Strategic discretion is necessary, especially when we are competing with countries such as Vietnam, China, South Korea, and India.”
On the broader economic outlook, he acknowledged that while the earlier crisis was severe, Bangladesh has made measurable progress.
“Challenges remain – including inflation, employment, energy security, and now tariff barriers – but our immediate focus is on restoring business confidence and regaining trade momentum.”
Dr Salehuddin added that Bangladesh’s robust garments and flexible textile industries provide a degree of resilience, although certain woven sub-sectors may experience short-term pressure.
