Govt to review 37% US tariff at meeting on Sunday

The United States has imposed a new reciprocal tariff of 37% on goods from Bangladesh, raising concerns among exporters, particularly in the garment sector. This tariff increase threatens to significantly impact Bangladesh's major export market. In response, an emergency meeting has been scheduled for Sunday (April 6), led by the Finance Adviser, to review the tariff's impact.

According to sources from the Ministry of Finance, the government has decided to assess the new tariff imposed by the Trump administration. However, due to the Eid holiday, an official meeting could not be held on Thursday. The office will resume on Sunday after the holidays, and an emergency meeting on these tariffs will be held on the first day back.

The meeting, chaired by Finance Adviser Salehuddin Ahmed, will include the Commerce Affairs Adviser, the Secretary of the Ministry of Commerce, the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), the Finance Secretary, the Chairman of the Bangladesh Tariff Commission, and other concerned officials.

A Ministry of Finance official stated that the new tariff imposed on Bangladesh is a matter of concern. This tariff, along with similar ones imposed on several other countries by the Trump administration, has sparked widespread criticism. The meeting on Sunday will likely address the challenges Bangladesh could face due to this tariff.

Previously, Bangladeshi products were subject to an average tariff of 15% in the United States. However, the new 37% tariff is expected to severely affect the export of Bangladeshi goods, particularly ready-made garments.

The Trump administration's imposition of reciprocal tariffs on several other countries has provoked global reactions.