Staff Reporter :
Chief Adviser Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus has formally addressed a letter to US President Donald J. Trump, requesting a three-month delay in the application of US reciprocal tariff measures on Bangladeshi exports.
The move is designed to provide Bangladesh’s interim government with sufficient time to implement a comprehensive strategy aimed at boosting imports from the United States and strengthening bilateral trade relations.
In his letter Chief Adviser said, shortly after your inauguration, I sent my High Representative to Washington DC to indicate our intent to substantially increase American exports to fast growing Bangladesh market of 170 million people.
Yunus underscored Bangladesh’s proactive diplomatic efforts, noting that his government is the first in South Asia to launch such a forward-looking initiative.
He highlighted the high-level diplomatic engagement led by Dr Khalilur Rahman, Bangladesh’s High Representative, during his February visit to Washington, DC, which laid the foundation for deepening trade ties.
Since then, both governments have engaged in continuous and constructive dialogue to map out specific actions to enhance trade.
A major component of this initiative is a multi-year agreement signed by Bangladesh to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States.
This agreement makes Bangladesh the first South Asian nation to enter into such a long-term energy cooperation pact. Yunus noted that this deal will not only diversify Bangladesh’s energy sources but also solidify US strategic economic interests in the region.
Additionally, Bangladesh is focusing on expanding imports of key US agricultural commodities such as cotton, wheat, corn, and soybeans. Yunus emphasised that these efforts are intended to benefit American farmers while supporting the United States’ broader trade agenda.
To further enhance trade relations, Bangladesh is taking substantial steps to facilitate faster access for US goods.
The country plans to establish dedicated duty-free bonded warehouses for cotton, improving the speed-to-market for US textile inputs. Furthermore, Bangladesh is working on eliminating redundant testing protocols, rationalising packaging, labelling, and certification requirements, and streamlining customs procedures to align with global trade facilitation standards.
Yunus also pointed out that Bangladesh already maintains the lowest tariff rates on US exports among South Asian countries. The country is also working on additional tariff reductions for key US products, including gas turbines, semiconductors, and medical equipment, as part of its commitment to becoming a reliable and growth-oriented trade partner for the United States.
In his letter to President Trump, Yunus assured the US leader of Bangladesh’s unwavering commitment to advancing mutual trade interests and expressed readiness to cooperate fully with the US trade agenda.
He further reaffirmed the interim government’s willingness to take “all necessary actions” to ensure the success of this growing economic partnership.
A follow-up letter from Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser is expected to be dispatched soon to the United States Trade Representative (USTR), outlining specific measures that have already been implemented, as well as those currently in progress.
In a recent statement, Bangladesh’s Ministry of Commerce reiterated the country’s commitment to addressing US concerns and emphasised that the proposed pause on tariffs would help solidify the framework for long-term bilateral cooperation.
The ministry also highlighted ongoing dialogues between US and Bangladeshi officials at the technical level, aimed at resolving any trade-related issues through consensus and reform.
This move marks a significant step in strengthening trade relations between the two countries, with Bangladesh keen on diversifying its imports and enhancing its position as a key partner in the global trade landscape.
