Bangladesh seeks further reduction in US tariffs

Bangladesh has urged Washington to further reduce tariffs on its exports, highlighting the steady progress in narrowing the trade imbalance between the two countries.

The call was made by National Security Adviser and High Representative for the Rohingya issue Khalilur Rahman during a meeting with US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch in Washington on Friday. According to an official communication received in Dhaka yesterday, Khalilur stressed that tariff concessions would help sustain the momentum of bilateral trade and support Bangladesh’s export-led economy, which is under pressure from global headwinds.
The discussion also touched on follow-up measures from the recently concluded tariff negotiations, with Khalilur reaffirming Dhaka’s commitment to continue reducing the trade gap. In response, Lynch assured that Washington would give “full consideration” to Bangladesh’s request, particularly as tariff adjustments come into effect and trade figures show further improvement.
Bangladesh’s exports to the US are dominated by ready-made garments, which face higher tariffs compared to exports from several competitor countries. Dhaka has long argued that tariff relief would not only strengthen economic ties but also help create jobs and promote stability at home.
On the same day, Khalilur met senior US officials, including Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, accompanied by Bangladesh’s new Ambassador to Washington, Tareq M Ariful Islam. Their talks went beyond trade, covering political and security developments in South Asia as well as Bangladesh’s upcoming general election scheduled for February 2026.
Hooker expressed strong US backing for the interim government led by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, praising its steps toward ensuring a transparent and peaceful electoral process. She also reaffirmed US support for Bangladesh’s efforts to resolve the protracted Rohingya crisis. Khalilur, in turn, conveyed Dhaka’s appreciation for Washington’s recent announcement of $60 million in humanitarian assistance for Rohingya refugees at the UN International Conference on the Rohingyas.
In a separate set of engagements, Khalilur held discussions with Nicole Chulick, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary, and Andrew Herrup, Deputy Assistant Secretary. Those meetings covered a broad spectrum of bilateral priorities, including security cooperation, regional stability, and enhanced economic partnership.
Observers note that Dhaka’s push for tariff concessions reflects a wider strategy to diversify markets and consolidate trade ties with the US, Bangladesh’s single largest export destination. With the interim government preparing for elections and managing multiple economic and humanitarian challenges, strengthening US-Bangladesh relations has emerged as a key diplomatic priority.