Bangladesh’s Trade Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin said on Sunday that the United States could further reduce its counter-tariffs on Bangladeshi goods—currently at 20 percent—if the trade deficit between the two countries narrows.
Speaking to reporters after a meeting with a US delegation led by Assistant US Trade Representative (USTR) Brendan Lynch at the Secretariat in Dhaka, Bashir Uddin said the current trade deficit stands at around $6 billion. “If this deficit decreases, they may reduce the counter-tariffs below 20 percent,” he noted.
The US delegation arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day for a three-day visit to finalize a bilateral trade agreement. The meeting was also attended by National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, and other senior officials.
Bashir Uddin said discussions focused on steps already promised by Bangladesh to help reduce the deficit, particularly by increasing purchases of US goods. “Progress has been made in sectors such as agriculture, energy, and aviation,” he added.
According to commerce ministry sources, during their visit the US team will also meet the chief adviser of the interim government, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain, and Foreign Secretary Asad Alam Siam.
On August 7, the United States lowered its counter-tariff rate on Bangladeshi exports to 20 percent. Dhaka now seeks to cut the rate further to at least 15 percent as part of a broader trade agreement with Washington. Responding to Bangladesh’s request for talks, Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch—responsible for US trade policy in South and Central Asia—arrived with his delegation to continue negotiations.
Officials said a draft trade agreement has been prepared based on discussions with USTR. If both sides agree to new terms, the draft will be amended and finalized.
