“Bangladesh has already taken major steps to narrow the trade gap with the US,” National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman said during a meeting with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington DC on Thursday (January 8).

He said Bangladesh has increased imports from the United States and has implemented several key provisions of the proposed reciprocal trade agreement, even before it is formally signed.

Based on this progress, Dr Rahman formally proposed lowering the existing 20 percent reciprocal tariff. In response, Ambassador Greer agreed to “positively consider” the request.

The US trade representative also said Washington would “seriously review” Bangladesh’s proposal to reduce or remove reciprocal tariffs on apparel products that use US-origin content.

Both sides agreed to quickly resolve the remaining outstanding issues so that the reciprocal tariff agreement can be finalized and implemented without delay.

BOB Post