Dhaka to send high-level delegation to US over recent tariff measures

A high-level delegation will visit the United States next week to hold talks over Washington's recent counter-tariff measures, said Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin on Wednesday.

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, reports UNB.

The Bangladesh Secretariat Reporters Forum (BSRF) organised the meeting titled "37% US Tariff: Challenges, Prospects and Government Measures," at the Secretariat's media centre.

The Bangladesh delegation will discuss with officials of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) who deal with tariff matters, so as to identify specific steps regarding both tariff and non-tariff issues, said the commerce adviser.

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.