Bangladesh proposes third-round tariff talks, awaits US response
Bangladesh has officially proposed holding the much-anticipated third round of tariff negotiations with the United States on Sunday, aiming to resolve key issues surrounding the recently announced reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi goods.
According to officials from the Ministry of Commerce, a formal letter has been sent to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), proposing Sunday for the next meeting in Washington. The talks are considered crucial, as the US plans to implement a 35% tariff on Bangladeshi exports starting 1 August.
“We have submitted our formal response to the draft agreement shared by the USTR and also requested to hold the next round of discussions within this week,” said Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman. “If they agree to our proposed date, our team will depart for Washington accordingly. Otherwise, we’ll adjust based on their availability.”
The proposed Bangladeshi delegation, significantly larger than in previous rounds, is set to be led by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and will include National Security Adviser Khaliqul Rahman, Chief Adviser’s Special Assistant Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, and other senior officials. The expanded team is a strategic move to bolster Bangladesh’s position after officials acknowledged being outnumbered and overpowered during earlier discussions—when the U.S. brought a 30-40 member delegation, while Bangladesh was represented by only a handful.
The third round of negotiations was initially scheduled for 21 July, and the commerce ministry had even arranged travel for the team. However, the visit was postponed following a last-minute communication from the USTR requesting a delay, ministry officials confirmed.
The urgency of the talks has increased significantly since the U.S. announced the imposition of a 35% tariff on Bangladeshi goods earlier this month. The tariff, set to take effect on 1 August, is part of a broader reciprocal trade strategy being pursued by Washington. The US also sent a set of draft agreements outlining terms of a potential trade framework aimed at improving bilateral trade balance.
Officials in Dhaka are hoping the upcoming talks will lead to a breakthrough before the deadline, as failure to reach a deal could severely impact Bangladesh’s export sector, particularly the ready-made garment industry, which relies heavily on access to the US market.
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