Bangladesh joins third round of US tariff talks

“Bangladesh has raised a few objections, but it won’t derail the negotiation,” says a commerce ministry official

Bangladesh has entered the third round of negotiations with the United States in Washington to bargain over President Donald Trump’s proposed supplemental tariffs on Bangladeshi goods.

The meeting, scheduled from 1pm to 3pm local time (11pm to 1am in Bangladesh), marks the continuation of efforts to avert the 35 percent duty hike due to take effect from Aug 1.

Officials from the commerce ministry, joining virtually, are supporting the delegation but are not present in the core sessions.

According to a senior ministry official, the discussions so far have been comprehensive, with most issues moving towards consensus.

Although Dhaka has raised a few objections, these are not expected to derail the main proceedings, he said.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman remains confident that the tariff talks will produce a positive outcome.

Ahead of the meeting, Golam Mortoza, minister (press wing) at the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington, told bdnews24.com that a formal meeting between the delegations would be held.

The talks are taking place under a non-disclosure agreement signed with the US, barring either side from releasing details until decisions are finalised.

As a result, no press briefing has yet been confirmed by the embassy.

The Bangladeshi delegation, led by Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin, also includes National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur, and Additional Secretary Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury.

They flew out Monday evening from Dhaka to open discussions on whether the proposed 35 percent levy can be reconsidered.

To strengthen its hand, Bangladesh is offering a broader trade package.

Speaking at the Secretariat on Tuesday, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed hinted at expanded procurement proposals but declined to disclose specifics.

“The commerce advisor has gone with the package. Let him return first, then we’ll speak,” he said.

Three representatives from business associations have also joined the trip, although they are not participating directly in the US government meetings.

Instead, they are expected to hold side talks with American companies about increasing imports of wheat, soyabean oil, and cotton.

Bangladesh currently faces an average US tariff rate of 15 percent.

To offset the potential shock of the proposed hike, the government has already waived duties on 626 products in the national budget.

It has also launched measures to ease the bilateral trade imbalance, including importing wheat and soya for state-owned Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) and boosting private cotton imports.

The push to ease trade tensions comes as the government moves forward with a major procurement deal to buy 25 aircraft from US aviation company Boeing.