In the light of the latest US tariff salvo on Bangladesh exports, questions are being raised over what Bangladesh can realistically offer to lower the steep duties imposed by the Trump administration. Although US officials have said that negotiation channels remain open for discussions on reciprocal tariff parity, prospects of a significant turnaround appear slim, under the circumstances.
Following the imposition of a 37 per cent reciprocal tariff on April 3, Bangladesh proposed to lower import duties on a range of US-origin products. However, the move evidently fell short of meeting the Trump administration’s expectations. A subsequent revision of the proposed sectoral tariff to 35 per cent also failed to shift the dynamics. For Bangladeshi exporters, who already face around 15 per cent tariff when shipping to the US — the country’s largest export destination-the newly announced 35 per cent surcharge would take the total duty to 50-51 per cent, effective from August.
Finance Adviser Dr. Salehuddin Ahmed, speaking to the press following the announcement, stated that the proposed 35 per cent tariff was not yet final and that a resolution could still be achieved through direct bilateral negotiations. Meanwhile, the Commerce Adviser, who led a small delegation for talks with the USTR earlier this week, informed the media yesterday that some time had been secured from the U.S. side to work towards a mutually acceptable position. It remains to be seen what strategic options Bangladesh has at its disposal to steer the situation in its favour.বিস্তারিত