The Ministry of Commerce on Monday sent a letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) announcing Bangladesh’s plans to reduce tariffs on 100 US products to zero.

In a strategic move to address the recent 37 per cent tariff imposed on Bangladeshi exports to the United States, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin sent the letter to USTR Jamieson Greer, outlining Bangladesh’s commitment to fostering stronger trade relations.

The letter outlined Bangladesh’s commitment to lowering trade barriers and fostering a more favourable trade environment between the two nations.

According to the letter, Dhaka was already offering zero-duty access on 190 product lines, with an additional 100 products under consideration for inclusion in this duty-free schedule.

‘Since the withdrawal of preferential access to Bangladeshi exports to the US, your esteemed government has been imposing a 15 per cent tariff on all goods from Bangladesh, while we impose a weighted average tariff of 6.10 per cent on US products,’ Bashir Uddin wrote.

‘Bangladesh remains committed to enhancing trade relations and resolving any obstacles to the smooth flow of goods between our countries,’ he said in his letter.

In addition to the tariff reduction, Bangladesh has pledged to explore further measures to eliminate non-tariff barriers, aiming for a more streamlined and efficient trade process.

This is part of ongoing efforts to respond to the US’s reciprocal tariff imposition on Bangladeshi exports.

The commerce ministry letter also highlighted several key initiatives under consideration, including the simplification of customs procedures, improvements to the enforcement of intellectual property rights, and ongoing dialogue with the US embassy’s trade wing in Dhaka to identify and address barriers to US trade with Bangladesh.

Further initiatives include a proposed long-term deal for importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the US, as well as encouraging US manufacturers to set up car manufacturing plants in Bangladesh.

There are also plans to increase the import of US products like soy, wheat and cotton, along with fostering private sector engagement in Bangladesh’s healthcare and services industries.

The letter also reaffirmed Bangladesh’s commitment to the Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA), signed in 2013, aimed at identifying and removing trade and investment barriers between the two nations.

‘Bangladesh remains dedicated to open dialogue and collaboration with the US government to ensure mutual prosperity and strengthen bilateral trade relations,’ commerce adviser said, expressing confidence that the steps outlined will help bridge gaps between the two countries’ trade and improve the livelihoods of people on both sides.

The adviser concluded by expressing eagerness to receive a response from Greer, signalling Bangladesh’s readiness to engage in constructive negotiations aimed at fostering a more balanced and cooperative trade relationship with the US.