Bangladesh Secures Major Tariff Relief in U.S. Trade Talks

Washington, D.C. | Dhaka — In a significant step forward for U.S.-Bangladesh trade relations, Bangladesh has successfully secured a reduction in tariffs on its exports to the United States—from 35% to 20%—following high-level negotiations with the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

This breakthrough came after Bangladesh submitted a comprehensive and data-driven position paper to USTR on July 23, leading to an invitation for in-person talks in Washington, D.C., between July 29 and August 1, 2025.

“This is a strategic victory for Bangladesh’s trade diplomacy,” said Sk Bashir Uddin, Commerce Adviser to the Government of Bangladesh, who led the delegation.
“Our objective was to achieve competitiveness and protect our export industries, and we have made meaningful progress.”

Key Developments:

✅ Tariffs on Bangladeshi goods reduced from 35% to 20%
✅ Bangladesh pledged to import U.S. goods including:
- 700,000 tonnes of wheat annually
- 25 Boeing aircraft (to be delivered over 10–15 years)
- LNG, soybeans, cotton, and pulses
✅ Private importers signed over $160 million in deals during the final round of talks

The comprehensive package proposed by Bangladesh was designed to reduce the U.S. trade deficit while maintaining strong bilateral relations. In preparation, the Commerce Ministry consulted with industry leaders, U.S. corporations, and economic experts to build a credible offer.

Meghna Group of Industries, led by Chairman Mostafa Kamal, finalized a $130 million soybean import agreement, while Bangladeshi importers committed to $30–35 million in U.S. cotton imports.

Diplomacy in Action

This success reflects the coordinated efforts of multiple stakeholders including:

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin
National Security Adviser Dr. Khalilur Rahman
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman
The Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, D.C.

According to Golam Mortoza, Press Minister at the Bangladesh Embassy, “Very few countries could even secure time with USTR officials. Our commerce adviser not only did that but held a full 45-minute meeting, which speaks to Bangladesh’s growing stature in global trade.”

Looking Ahead

Bangladesh has committed to importing $3 billion in U.S. goods within the next 18 months as part of its long-term strategy to deepen trade ties and maintain favorable access to the American market.

Though the delegation had hoped for a steeper tariff cut, officials described the outcome as “competitive and manageable” given the global trade climate.

This marks a pivotal moment in Bangladesh’s economic diplomacy and strengthens its position as a key trade partner to the United States.

About USBCCI:
The U.S. Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce & Industry (USBCCI) is a 501(c)(6) non-profit organization committed to promoting bilateral trade, investment, and business collaboration between the United States and Bangladesh.