The Chief Advisor to the interim government, Professor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, will speak directly to the US administration regarding the tariffs imposed by the US on exported goods. He will present Bangladesh’s position on this issue himself.
A meeting was chaired by the Chief Advisor on the US tariff issue at the State Guest House Jamuna on Saturday (April 6, 2025) evening.
At a press briefing after the meeting, Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashiruddin said, “The Chief Advisor will directly communicate with the US administration. Using Professor Yunus’ international acceptance, our position will be presented to the US administration.”
He said, we are in touch with the US Embassy in Dhaka and the relevant offices of the country and our position will be presented as per the instructions of the Chief Advisor.
Bashiruddin said that the duties imposed on Bangladesh and the nature of our trade are being determined by the Chief Advisor based on the instructions of the Chief Advisor.
He said that in addition to duties, we have some non-tariff trade barriers in the United States, which we want to remove through discussions.
The Trade Advisor said that the Chief Advisor’s High Representative Dr. Khalilur Rahman is in contact with the US administration. Efforts will be made to remove these non-tariff trade barriers by utilizing him.
He said that we also see potential here. He said that the trade deficit will be reduced by understanding the concerns.
In response to a question, he said that the trade deficit can be reduced by increasing imports. In that case, he mentioned the import of soybean oil, raw materials for the garment industry, industrial components, fuel and some other products.
He mentioned that the US does not see any danger of reducing garment exports from Bangladesh to that country as a result of increasing duties.
The Chief Advisor’s High Representative Dr. Khalilur Rahman said there is no need to worry about the US tariffs.
He said, “We hope to get a positive response after presenting our position to the US administration.”
The Chief Advisor’s Special Envoy Lutfe Siddiqui and the Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam were present at the press briefing.
