A Bangladesh delegation will visit America next week to start third round of tread talks with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in order to cut the 35% tariffs slapped by the Trump administration on Bangladeshi exports from August 1, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin said on Monday.
The fresh spell of negotiation is expected to end before the August 1 deadline. “We hope the US will set tariffs at a rational level,” Bashir told a press conference upon his return from the US after concluding second round of talks with the USTR.
Prior to speaking to the media, the adviser exchanged views met with economists, business leaders, exporters, and traders.
Bashir was confident that Bangladesh would be able to continue business in the US market with its current capabilities.
He did not disclosed detail of their second round of talks, but said Bangladesh and the United States are bound by a non-disclosure agreement on this matter.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman added the issue of reciprocal tariffs has serious implications for Bangladesh, and the government is working on it at the highest level.
“We’re prepared. Whatever issues arise in the future, we will address them through dialogue with the US,” he claimed.
From the part of the business community, BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem stated that the government is treating the tariff negotiations with the United States as a top priority. He also said they were satisfied about the progress so far made to lower the tariff.
SANEM Executive Director Dr Selim Raihan, RAPID Chairman Dr Abdur Razzak, Policy Exchange Chairman Dr Mashrur Riaz, international trade analyst Mustafa Abid Khan, former Metropolitan Chamber President Nasim Manjur, Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce President Anwar Ul Alam Chowdhury, BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan Babu, among others, also met with the commerce adviser on Monday.