Bangladesh is expecting to hold a virtual meeting with the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Tuesday aimed at reducing the retaliatory 35 percent tariffs imposed by the Trump administration.
Confirming this, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin denied compromising national interest in trade negotiations that include some undisclosed issues.
The South Asian nation is now awaiting a response from the US to a formal letter concerning the rollback of recently imposed retaliatory tariffs and is hopeful for an invitation to resume in-person trade talks.
Speaking to reporters at the Secretariat on Thursday, the commerce adviser said: “Bangladesh had clearly articulated its position to the U.S. in a letter sent earlier this week and is now waiting for a response and a possible invitation to visit Washington with a full negotiation team.”
The development comes amid growing concerns over the 35% retaliatory tariffs imposed by the US on Bangladeshi goods — a policy announced under President Donald Trump and scheduled to take effect from August 1.
While two rounds of talks have already taken place, no significant progress has yet been made.
Sheikh Bashir dismissed allegations circulating in some quarters that Bangladesh was compromising its national interest to accommodate US demands.
“That’s a completely baseless question,” he said. “Why would we act against our own interests? If we were doing so, there would be no need for inter-ministerial meetings. We would have just accepted everything blindly. This process is far more nuanced and deliberate.”
When asked about Bangladesh’s expectations from the virtual meeting, the adviser said, “We are hopeful for a positive outcome. We’re doing everything within our capacity to achieve the best possible result.”
Regarding speculation that Bangladeshi businesses are hiring lobbyists to influence US policymakers, Sheikh Bashir clarified,
“That’s a private sector decision. The government has not appointed any lobbyists. Besides, the current US action stems from a national emergency framework, where lobbying may have limited influence.”
He also emphasized that resolving this issue involves significant domestic legal and administrative coordination.
“These structural and policy reforms can only be understood and executed by Bangladesh. We’ve been working day and night for the past 15 days, across nearly all government ministries, to prepare our case,” he noted.
Asked whether talks would continue even after the August 1 tariff implementation, the commerce adviser confidently said it would likely continue.
He concluded by expressing optimism based on recent interactions. “We feel that something positive may come our way — Inshallah.”