US Tariff Policy a ‘Wake-Up Call’ for Bangladesh: Dr Fahmida

The United States' high tariff policy serves as a "wake-up call" for Bangladesh as the country prepares to graduate from its Least Developed Country (LDC) status, said Dr. Fahmida Khatun, Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), today.

Speaking as the chief guest at a shadow parliament event in Dhaka, Dr. Fahmida emphasized the need for Bangladesh to strengthen its trade capacity, noting that the country will lose existing duty benefits after LDC graduation.

“The suspension of reciprocal tariffs for 90 days offers some temporary relief, but it's crucial that we use this time to build our competitiveness,” she said at the event, held at the Bangladesh Film Development Corporation (BFDC) and organized by Debate for Democracy.

The event, chaired by Debate for Democracy President Hasan Ahmed Chowdhury Kiron, focused on addressing the challenges posed by recent US tariff measures.

Referring to the imposition and temporary suspension of reciprocal tariffs by the US—and the resulting trade tensions with China—Dr. Fahmida remarked, “It seems a trade war has already begun, and its ripple effects are being felt globally.”

She also stressed the importance of ensuring political stability and maintaining law and order to foster an investment-friendly environment in Bangladesh.

At the conclusion of the session, participants put forward 10 key recommendations to help the country navigate the evolving global trade landscape.