US Trade Delegation to Visit Dhaka on Sunday for Tariff Talks

A US trade delegation will reach in Dhaka on a two-day visit starting Sunday to discuss a further reduction on the 20% tariff currently imposed on Bangladeshi exports to the US market.

Negotiations will focus on securing a further cut in the tariff during the delegation's visit, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman told.

The United States Trade Representative (USTR) team will be lead by Brendan Lynch, the assistant USTR for South and Central Asia.

Earlier, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman told reporters that both countries are negotiating to lower the reciprocal duty on Bangladeshi goods from 20% to 15%.

According to Commerce Ministry officials, a draft trade agreement has already been prepared following discussions with the USTR officials. If progress is made in the upcoming negotiations, the draft will be finalised with necessary amendments.

On 7 August, the US reduced the reciprocal tariff rate on products imported from Bangladesh to 20% from the previously declared 35%, after a series of talks.

However, a formal agreement is yet to be signed.

Dhaka is pushing to lower the duty to 15% and conclude an agreement with Washington. To this end, the commerce ministry sought additional negotiation time, which prompted the USTR delegation's visit, officials said.

During their visit, the USTR delegation will hold meetings with the commerce ministry officials, as well as with Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam.