[🇧🇩] Trump's Victory/Tariff/ Bangladesh

[Saif]

Bangladesh to offer ‘trade package’ to US

The government plans to offer a “package proposal” to the United States in a bid to secure an exemption from the additional tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on exports. On Tuesday, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed disclosed the development after a meeting of the Cabinet C

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Bangladesh to offer ‘trade package’ to US

Published :
Jul 29, 2025 17:50
Updated :
Jul 29, 2025 19:11

The government plans to offer a “package proposal” to the United States in a bid to secure an exemption from the additional tariffs imposed by US President Donald Trump on exports.

On Tuesday, Finance Advisor Salehuddin Ahmed disclosed the development after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase at the Secretariat, according to bdnews24.com.

“Our trade advisor has gone with a package. There’s more in it -- what they can buy from us,” he said.

A four-strong government delegation, comprising Commerce Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin, National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, and Additional Secretary Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury, flew to Washington on an Emirates flight Monday evening to attend negotiations with Trump administration officials over Tuesday and Wednesday.

To counter the 35 per cent Trump-era tariffs, Bangladesh has already waived duties on 626 American products. The interim administration has also decided to import wheat and soybean oil through TCB to help reduce its trade deficit with the US. Plans are also underway to boost cotton imports from US private suppliers.

Most notably, the interim government has announced it will purchase 25 aircraft from American manufacturer Boeing in an effort to present goodwill during this high-stakes diplomatic effort.

Asked whether more such measures are in the pipeline, Salehuddin said: “Yes, there’s more, but I won’t speak about it now. I’ll share details once the team returns.”

In Tuesday’s meeting, the committee also approved the leasing of around 22.25 hectares of land at the abandoned Jalil Textile Mill in Chattogram sought by the military, but under strict conditions.

“We’ve said state land will no longer follow symbolic pricing,” Salehuddin said. “If they want it, they must pay. Symbolic pricing leads to misuse -- often they claim 100 acres [40.46 hectares] when they need only 10.”

Separately, the committee approved the purchase of fertiliser and one LNG cargo shipment from the spot market.​

 

[Saif]

'US-BD tariff talks concern sovereignty, economic future'

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh warned on Tuesday that the ongoing tariff negotiations between Dhaka and Washington carry significant implications for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and economic future, calling the US approach “unreasonable and unethical.” Speaking at a session of DCA

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

'US-BD tariff talks concern sovereignty, economic future'
Chinese envoy tells DCAB Talks

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Jul 29, 2025 17:46
Updated :
Jul 29, 2025 17:46

Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh warned on Tuesday that the ongoing tariff negotiations between Dhaka and Washington carry significant implications for Bangladesh’s sovereignty and economic future, calling the US approach “unreasonable and unethical.”

Speaking at a session of DCAB Talks hosted by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh, Ambassador Yao Wen expressed concern over the United States’ plan to impose a 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi exports, particularly targeting the garment and leather sectors.

“These talks, which have drawn widespread attention, concern Bangladesh’s sovereignty and economic future,” Mr Yao said. “The United States imposes a 35 per cent tariff on Bangladesh, one of the least developed countries, which is neither reasonable nor ethical.”

Mr Yao expressed Beijing’s support for Bangladesh’s right to resolve the dispute through “equal dialogue” and defended the country’s legitimate trade interests. “China supports Bangladesh in upholding WTO rules and the multilateral trading system and in maintaining normal trade and exchanges,” he said.

He warned against the global consequences of trade unilateralism. “If international trade returns to the law of the jungle, where the strong prey on the weak, no country will remain unscathed,” he said.

In a strongly worded statement, Mr Yao criticised the US policy of “reciprocal tariffs,” which he described as “a textbook case of trade bullying.”

“Since the Trump administration took office, the US has rolled out a series of unilateral tariffs. These blatantly violate WTO rules, disrupt global industrial and supply chains, and hinder world economic recovery. They are irresponsible, unpopular, and unsustainable,” he said.

“The US is now weaponising tariffs to strong-arm others into so-called reciprocal tariff negotiations. This is nothing but hegemonic politics and unilateral bullying disguised as reciprocity,” Mr Yao added.

In response to a question about Bangladesh’s upcoming elections, Mr Yao said China supports a “smooth, successful, and participatory” electoral process.

“The timing of the election is for the people of Bangladesh to decide—not any foreign country,” he said.

He also confirmed that China supports the interim government’s efforts to ensure stability and continue along a development path aligned with Bangladesh’s national priorities.

Mr Yao further revealed that China’s engagement with the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and the Islamist party Jamaat-e-Islami had been “hindered and prevented” over the last decade. “You know it!” he remarked cryptically when pressed for clarification.

He added that recent visits by BNP, Jamaat, and the National Citizen Party to China signal renewed openness and engagement.

“China has always engaged with major political parties in Bangladesh, and now there is a chance for that dialogue to resume,” he said.

Ambassador Yao said China remains committed to deepening cooperation with Bangladesh across multiple sectors—from trade and investment to climate response and education.

“China is willing to always be a trustworthy good friend, good neighbour, and good partner of Bangladesh,” he said.

“We are ready to strengthen exchanges on governance experience and share experience in economic development, poverty alleviation, disaster prevention and mitigation, and climate change response.”

China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 100 per cent of taxable items from Bangladesh until 2028 to support the country’s smooth graduation from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status in 2026.

In the first quarter of this year, Chinese investment in Bangladesh surged 3.7 times year-on-year. Since August, nearly 20 Chinese companies have signed agreements with Bangladeshi counterparts, with investment intentions exceeding $400 million.

“China has become the largest source of FDI in Bangladesh since the interim government took office,” Mr Yao said.

On a more sombre note, Mr Yao confirmed that China will assist Bangladesh in investigating the crash of a China-made Air Force jet that struck a school building in Dhaka’s Uttara area on 21 July, killing 34 people, most of them children.

“We are sending a technical team to Dhaka on Wednesday in response to Bangladesh’s request,” he said, adding that China expects a “comprehensive and impartial” investigation into the tragedy.

In a show of solidarity, China dispatched an emergency medical team of five burn-specialist doctors and nurses to Dhaka to treat survivors of the crash.

Highlighting growing trade relations, Mr Yao noted that Bangladeshi mangoes have recently entered the Chinese market for the first time, and China intends to expand its import portfolio further.

He added that weekly air traffic between the two countries now exceeds 68 flights, carrying more than 13,000 passengers. Approximately 15,000 Bangladeshi students are currently pursuing higher education in China, he said.

“Regardless of any domestic changes in Bangladesh, China will remain committed to strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation and supporting Bangladesh in its efforts toward sustainable development,” the ambassador reiterated.

Ambassador Yao also addressed recent trilateral cooperation talks involving China, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. A vice foreign minister-level meeting was held in Kunming to revive stagnant cooperation in South Asia.

“The objective is to enhance regional collaboration,” he said. When asked why only two South Asian countries were involved, he noted that China had briefed other countries in the region.

He acknowledged Bangladesh’s growing significance in China’s regional diplomacy. “Bangladesh is an important member of the Global South and a key development partner in the region. China places Bangladesh in a leading position in its neighbourhood diplomacy.”

“We support Bangladesh in safeguarding its sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity and in opposing external interference,” he added.​

 

[Saif]

China to support Bangladesh to counter US tariffs

Yao Wen made the remarks at the “DCAB Talk” organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday.

en.prothomalo.com

China to support Bangladesh to counter US tariffs
Diplomatic Correspondent Dhaka
Published: 29 Jul 2025, 22: 36

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen addresses the “DCAB Talk” event organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at National Press Club in Dhaka on 29 July 2025. Collected

Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said China views the imposition of tariffs by the United States as part of its effort to expand dominance, and his country will assist Bangladesh to offset the impact of the US’ reciprocal tariffs.

Yao Wen made the remarks at the “DCAB Talk” organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) at National Press Club in Dhaka on Tuesday.

Replying to a query on the US-imposed tariffs, the Chinese ambassador said that China opposes such counter-tariffs. China sees these US measures as part of an attempt to assert hegemony. The imposition of such tariffs undermines the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework and is not conducive to international trade. This is unreasonable, unfair, and unjust, he added.

Ambassador Yao Wen further said China will support Bangladesh under the WTO framework to mitigate the adverse effects of the US’ reciprocal tariffs. He also emphasised the need to expand Bangladesh’s export markets and enhance its export capabilities.

Bangladesh is on track to graduate from the list of Least Developed Countries (LDCs) by 2026. China will continue to provide Bangladesh with duty-free access to 100 per cent of its products until 2028 in order to support this transition,.

DCAB president AKM Moinuddin presided over the event and general secretary Arifuzzaman Mamun delivered the welcome address.​

 

[Saif]

3rd-round tariff talks enter 2nd day

The third round of tariff talks of Bangladesh with the United States entered the second day on Wednesday, just one day before a steep 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi exports to the US market comes into effect...

www.newagebd.net

3rd-round tariff talks enter 2nd day
Staff Correspondent 30 July, 2025, 23:58

The third round of tariff talks of Bangladesh with the United States entered the second day on Wednesday, just one day before a steep 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi exports to the US market comes into effect.

The Bangladeshi delegation was set to join the second day’s talks with the Office of United States Trade Representative, responsible for developing and promoting US foreign trade policies, at 9:00am (Washington time) on Wednesday, in the hope of reducing the rate of the ‘reciprocal tariff’, according to a social media post by Golam Mortoza, press minister at the Bangladesh embassy in Washington.

On July 8, US president Donald Trump imposed the 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi exports, with effect from August 1, on top of sectoral tariffs of up to 15-16 per cent.

The first day of the third and final round of the tariff talks ended with positive responses, said commerce secretary Mahbubur Rahman on Wednesday morning.

Talking to New Age at about 8:00am (Bangladesh time) from Wessington, he said that they had a fruitful discussion with the US on Tuesday.New Age specials

‘As they invited us here in person and we have got positive responses from them, we are hopeful that the tariff imposed on Bangladesh would be reduced,’ he added.

Meanwhile, on Wednesday, in a post on Truth Social, Trump slapped India with a 25 per cent ‘reciprocal tariff’ along with penalty, mainly for importing military equipment and energy from Russia and China.

Mahbubur also said that the United States Trade Representative usually did not hint at anything before everything became official, but their responses indicated that the tariff on Bangladesh would be reduced.

‘We hope the tariff on us would be reduced significantly, but it is not possible to say exactly by how much at this moment,’ he said, adding that they had meetings scheduled for the second day.

The first day of the third round of tariff negotiations began at 12:30pm (Washington time) or 10:30pm (Dhaka time) on Tuesday and ended at 5:30pm (Washington time) on Tuesday or 3:30am on Wednesday (Dhaka time).

Led by commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, national security adviser Khalilur Rahman, commerce secretary Mahbubur Rahman and additional secretary Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury were also present at the meeting. Some officials also joined virtually.

On the US side, the talks were led by US assistant trade representative Brendan Lynch.

The embassy of Bangladesh in Washington coordinated the negotiation process.

The Bangladeshi delegation, led by the commerce adviser, left Dhaka for Washington Monday evening.

A number of Bangladeshi businesses also travelled to Washington, though they would not attend the meeting. They would seek business-to-business negotiations with US businesses.

Earlier, the second round of tariff discussions ended on July 11, but failed to produce a consensus from either side regarding the tariff policy.

In 2024, Bangladesh exported goods worth about $8.4 billion to the US, of which $7.34 billion accounted for readymade garments. In the year, the country imported US goods worth $2.2 billion.

The US is pressuring Bangladesh to lower the trade deficit in order to secure a ‘favourable’ tariff rate.

Bangladesh plans to purchase 25 Boeing aircraft as part of the trade negotiations with the US.

Earlier, on July 20, Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding with the US to import 7 lakh tonnes of wheat annually for the next five years to reduce the trade deficit with the US.

On July 23, the interim government decided to procure 2.20 lakh tonnes of wheat from the US at $302.75 a tonne.

Recently, the Trump administration has revised down the tariffs on Indonesia and Vietnam to 19 per cent and 20 per cent per cent, respectively. Both the countries are Bangladesh’s competitors in the global RMG export market.

Earlier, on April 3, the US had imposed a 37 per cent ‘reciprocal’ tariff on Bangladeshi exports, but on April 9 the US president declared a pause on the tariff for three months.

After the pause, Bangladesh entered into the first round of tariff talks with the US.​

 

[Saif]

Trump tariff and the impending catastrophe for many nations

The so-called "reciprocal tariff" policy of the U.S. administration has already emerged as a potentially destabilising force in global trade -- arguably more damaging than any recent disruption. While third world countries are likely to suffer the worst consequences, particularly those like B

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Trump tariff and the impending catastrophe for many nations

Published :
Aug 01, 2025 00:35
Updated :
Aug 01, 2025 00:35

The so-called "reciprocal tariff" policy of the U.S. administration has already emerged as a potentially destabilising force in global trade -- arguably more damaging than any recent disruption. While third world countries are likely to suffer the worst consequences, particularly those like Bangladesh that enjoy a trade surplus with the U.S., others -- even those with minimal trade ties to the U.S. -- may also face significant fallout. The Asia Floor Wage Alliance (AFWA), a coalition of trade unions representing garment workers across Asia, has raised the alarm, warning that the tariff imposition could trigger a humanitarian crisis and deepen inequality in the global garment industry. In a strongly worded statement, the alliance called for brand accountability, asserting that companies benefiting from outsourced production must not remain silent when tariffs result in factory closures and mass layoffs. "The U.S. government's recent imposition of tariffs on apparel imports from Asia endangers the livelihoods of millions of garment workers -- most of them women -- who already earn poverty-level wages," the statement noted.

Drawing unsettling parallels with the COVID-19 pandemic -- when global brands abandoned their responsibilities, leading to widespread layoffs, unpaid wages, and factory shutdowns -- AFWA cautioned that a similar catastrophe looms. Without proactive intervention, history may well repeat itself. AFWA's Deputy International Coordinator, Wiranta Ginting, emphasised that tariffs should not be wielded as weapons in geopolitical conflicts. While tariffs can be legitimate fiscal tools, they are now being used as punitive measures with little regard for consequences. Realistically, reshoring apparel manufacturing to the U.S. is economically unfeasible due to high production costs, which would render clothing unaffordable for domestic and international consumers alike. AFWA also pointed out that the current U.S. tariff policy does not serve the interests of American labour. Instead, it punishes Asian economies for geopolitical reasons and risks destabilising the region's production base. The alliance warned that such disproportionate measures could incite unhealthy competition among countries and fragment the garment workforce.

In addition to condemning protectionist trade policies, AFWA underscored the need to hold global brands accountable for their sourcing decisions. Rejecting what it described as an exploitative global trade model that enriches brands while plunging workers into poverty and debt, AFWA said that brands must not be allowed to profit from low-wage labour and then disappear when crisis strikes, emphasising that governments should not weaponise trade at the expense of human lives. The alliance called for a vision rooted in balanced industrial development and equitable revenue distribution.

There is little room to dispute the merit of AFWA's concerns. The so-called reciprocal tariff undermines the rule-based international trading system, one that strives for equity and cooperation. As things stand, the prospects of avoiding a looming crisis appear slim. For Bangladesh, the situation is particularly alarming. With an economy heavily reliant on apparel exports -- and the U.S. as its largest single market -- the fallout from these tariffs could prove devastating.​

 

[Saif]

US cuts tariffs on Bangladesh to 20% after talks

The deal for Dhaka was secured just hours before a midnight deadline set by President Donald Trump

www.thedailystar.net

US cuts tariffs on Bangladesh to 20% after talks

The United States has slashed its tariff rate on goods from Bangladesh to 20 percent, a significant reduction from the previous 35 percent, after a final round of intense negotiations in Washington.

The White House confirmed the new rate on Friday, a move expected to provide a substantial boost to Bangladeshi exports, particularly in the crucial garment sector. The breakthrough came after high-level discussions between Bangladeshi officials and the Office of the United States Trade Representative, the main body overseeing US trade policy.

The deal for Dhaka was secured just hours before a midnight deadline set by President Donald Trump and stands out against a broader protectionist trade policy.

In a separate announcement, the White House said Trump would maintain a minimum global tariff of 10 percent, while imports from countries holding trade surpluses with the US would face duties of 15 percent or higher.

The successful negotiation for Bangladesh presents a stark contrast to the administration's treatment of other key trading partners, notably India.

Washington has threatened New Delhi with tariffs of 25 percent, a figure that would single it out more severely than most major economies, with the exception of Canada, which was hit with 35 percent tariff rate​

 

[Saif]

Tariff cut brings relief, but buyers must bear the cost: BGMEA chief

The President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mahmud Hasan Khan, has said the recent reduction of US counter-tariffs from 35% to 20% offers relief to the apparel sector after months of uncertainty. “This added tariff must be borne by the importers a

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

Tariff cut brings relief, but buyers must bear the cost: BGMEA chief

FE ONLINE DESK
Published :
Aug 01, 2025 22:36
Updated :
Aug 01, 2025 22:36

The President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Mahmud Hasan Khan, has said the recent reduction of US counter-tariffs from 35% to 20% offers relief to the apparel sector after months of uncertainty.

“This added tariff must be borne by the importers and buyers, not the suppliers,” he stated in a written statement on Friday (August 01), as per local media reports.

Khan noted that while Bangladesh faces 1% higher tariffs than Pakistan, it enjoys a 5% lower rate than India and 10% lower than China, keeping the country competitive.

He warned, however, that buyers might reduce orders if they cannot secure extra financing, as the higher tariff affects their capital flow.

He urged BGMEA members not to absorb these additional costs and emphasised that final consumers in the US would ultimately bear the burden. He also highlighted the need for Bangladesh to meet its trade commitments to avoid future risks.​

 

[Saif]

CA lauds BD tariff negotiation team

In a message on Friday, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus lauded the Bangladesh team for successful negotiations with their US counterpart in Washington. “By reducing the tariff to 20 per cent, 17 points lower than anticipated, our negotiators have demonstrated remarkable strategic skil

thefinancialexpress.com.bd

CA lauds BD tariff negotiation team

FE ONLINE REPORT
Published :
Aug 01, 2025 20:10
Updated :
Aug 01, 2025 20:10

In a message on Friday, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus lauded the Bangladesh team for successful negotiations with their US counterpart in Washington.

“By reducing the tariff to 20 per cent, 17 points lower than anticipated, our negotiators have demonstrated remarkable strategic skill and unwavering commitment to safeguarding and advancing Bangladesh’s economic interests”, he said.

“We proudly congratulate the Bangladesh tariff negotiators on securing a landmark trade deal with the United States, a decisive diplomatic victory”.

They have been working relentlessly since February and navigated successfully through a complex negotiating process involving tariff, non-tariff and national security matters, De Yunus added.

“The agreement they negotiated preserves our comparative advantage, enhances our access to the world’s largest consumer market and safeguards our core national interests”.

“This achievement not only underscores Bangladesh’s rising strength on the global stage but also opens the door to greater opportunities, accelerated growth, and lasting prosperity”.

“The future of Bangladesh is undeniably bright. Today’s success stands as a powerful testament to the nation’s resilience and its bold vision for a stronger economy tomorrow”.​