High-level delegation to visit US next week: Commerce Adviser

The delegation will include the Finance Adviser, the Chief Adviser’s special assistant, the commerce secretary and others concerned,” he said at a views-exchange meeting titled “37% US Tariff: Challenges, Prospects and Government Measures,” organised by the Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) at the Secretariat’s media centre.

 They discuss with officials of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)  who deal with tariff matters, to identify specific steps regarding both tariff and non-tariff issues, he said.

Adviser Bashir said “37% counter-tariff has been suspended for 90 days and during this period, we must determine our course of action. The Chief Adviser is well aware of the issue,” he added.

Highlighting the significance of bilateral trade with the US, he said, “Among the countries we trade with—where export volume exceeds import—the US stands out as the largest single buyer. So this issue is a matter of concern for us. The US calculates its trade deficit based on goods, not services. That’s why we have developed a specific action plan.”

The delegation will visit the US to identify concrete measures regarding tariff and non-tariff frameworks through discussions with USTR officials, he said.

The commerce adviser also said that Bangladesh’s trade with the world operates under the WTO framework, and its trade relationship with the US alone amounts to $2.2 billion.

“In addition, various American products enter our market through other countries. We also export some goods that benefit both nations. By engaging with the US, we can work to bring tariffs on these products to a more tolerable level. At the same time, we are considering infrastructural improvements to enhance product quality and acceptability, ultimately boosting our trade volume,” he said.

Forum’s President Fasih Uddin Mahtab prevised over the event while BSRF General Secretary Masudul Haque moderated it.