Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Advisor to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, formally requested the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, to reconsider the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on Bangladesh. The appeal was made through an official letter highlighting Bangladesh’s ongoing efforts to support the US trade agenda and deepen bilateral trade relations.
The letter outlines several proactive initiatives taken by Bangladesh to enhance trade ties, including the early engagement of a High Representative in Washington DC shortly after President Trump’s inauguration. Bangladesh was the first country to enter a multi-year agreement to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US and has continued to support American exports by working closely with US counterparts.
A major focus of Bangladesh’s recent actions is to increase imports of US agricultural products such as cotton, wheat, corn, and soybean—commodities critical to the livelihoods of American farmers. Additionally, Bangladesh is finalizing a bonded warehousing facility for US goods, ensuring unrestricted market access.
The letter emphasizes that Bangladesh currently offers the lowest tariffs on most US exports in South Asia. It continues to implement zero tariffs on American agricultural items and is working towards reducing tariffs by 50% on industrial exports like gas turbines, semiconductors, and medical equipment. Moreover, the country is eliminating non-tariff barriers, simplifying customs procedures, and rationalizing labeling and certification requirements.
Bangladesh has also facilitated the launch of Starlink, a significant step forward for US tech businesses in the country, paving the way for growth in civil aviation and defense sectors.
In light of these collaborative efforts and upcoming trade reforms, Professor Yunus requested a three-month postponement of the reciprocal tariff measure to ensure a smooth implementation of ongoing and planned actions. He expressed hope that the US President would grant this request in the spirit of continued partnership and mutual benefit.
The letter concludes with assurances of Bangladesh’s commitment to advancing trade relations and supporting US economic interests.