100 more US products to get zero-tariff access
In a significant step to address the growing trade imbalance with the United States, the Bangladesh government has announced plans to allow duty-free access to 100 additional American products.
Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin conveyed the move in a formal letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) on Sunday (7 April), outlining a series of trade liberalisation efforts ahead of Bangladesh’s graduation from least developed country (LDC) status.
Opening the doors wider
“Most of the 100 products are manufactured in the US,” Bashir told journalists. “By bringing them under a new zero-tariff schedule, we aim to boost US exports to Bangladesh.”
Currently, Bangladesh imports mostly cotton, scrap metal, soy, and petroleum from the US—products that account for around 75% of the total imports. With this initiative, the government hopes to diversify imports and address tariff and non-tariff barriers affecting US trade.
“As part of our upcoming LDC graduation, we’re taking proactive steps toward greater trade liberalisation,” Bashir added.
Trade reforms in motion
In his letter to the USTR, the adviser wrote that Bangladesh already maintains 190 product lines with zero tariff. The addition of 100 more is currently under consideration.
The letter also signals broader reforms to support bilateral trade, including: A long-term LNG import deal with the US, proposals for US automakers to set up manufacturing plants in Bangladesh, encouragement of US private equity investment in healthcare and service sectors, simplification of customs procedures, enhanced enforcement of intellectual property rights.
“We are committed to removing all tariff and non-tariff barriers to ensure mutually beneficial trade,” the letter read.
A call for reciprocity
Bashir’s letter also drew attention to the disparity in tariff treatment between the two nations. Since the withdrawal of preferential access for Bangladeshi exports, the US has been imposing a 15% tariff on all goods from Bangladesh. By contrast, Bangladesh imposes an average tariff of 6.1% on US imports—with zero tariffs on raw cotton and 1% on steel scrap.
“As one of the largest importers of US cotton, our readymade garment exports continue to face high tariffs in the US,” the letter noted. “We remain committed to open dialogue and collaboration to eliminate barriers and resolve trade disputes.”
The government has already held several meetings with the trade wing of the US Embassy in Dhaka to identify and address specific barriers to US exports.
Yunus writes to Trump
Earlier in the day, Chief Adviser and Nobel Laureate Professor Muhammad Yunus sent a letter to US President Donald Trump, requesting a three-month postponement of newly imposed reciprocal tariffs. The delay, Yunus argued, would allow Bangladesh’s interim government to implement reforms aimed at increasing US exports to the country.
On 2 April, the Trump administration announced sweeping reciprocal tariffs on several countries, including a 37% tariff on Bangladeshi exports—among the highest imposed. India, China, and the European Union were also targeted.
In response, Yunus convened an emergency meeting on 5 April. Afterward, Bashir Uddin said Bangladesh would revise its import policy and increase essential imports from the US in hopes of negotiating down the 37% tariff before it comes into effect on 9 April.
