Chief Adviser to the interim government Professor Muhammad Yunus has formally appealed to the US President Donald Trump for a three-month postponement of the proposed reciprocal measures on Bangladeshi exports, amid growing concern over the steep new duties and its potential economic fallout.

In a letter sent on Monday, Yunus pledged a sweeping package of trade reforms aimed at ramping up American exports to Bangladesh, including duty-free access for US cotton and increased imports of key agricultural commodities such as wheat, corn, and soybeans.

The appeal followed an emergency meeting held on Friday at the State Guest House Jamuna, where Yunus and senior officials mapped out a strategic response to the 37 per cent tariff announced by Trump last week.

The tariff has sparked alarm in Dhaka, particularly over its likely impact on the country’s garment and textile exports.

Senior assistant press secretary to the chief adviser Foyez Ahmad confirmed that the letter was sent on Monday.

In the letter, chief adviser promised effort to boost imports of American agricultural products, including cotton, wheat, corn and soybeans.

‘To increase speed to market of US cotton, we are finalising a dedicated bonded warehousing facility in Bangladesh where the item will have duty-free access,’ Yunus wrote.

In the letter Professor Yunus reassured Trump of Bangladesh’s firm commitment to support the US administration’s trade agenda.

‘I write to assure you that we in Bangladesh will take all necessary actions to fully support your trade agenda,’ the letter read.

As evidence of this commitment, Professor Yunus cited Bangladesh’s multi-year agreement to import liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the United States, made possible by the lifting of the US export permit freeze.

Ongoing collaboration in other sectors has also been initiated, with officials from both countries working to identify further opportunities to expand trade, the letter mentioned.

The chief adviser in his letter said that Bangladesh had demonstrated its willingness to strengthen bilateral trade ties early in Trump’s presidency.

‘Shortly after your inauguration, I sent my High Representative to Washington DC to indicate our intent to substantially increase American exports to our fast-growing market of 170 million people,’ he wrote, saying that Bangladesh was the first country to take such a pro-active stance.

The chief adviser also underlined Bangladesh’s already favourable tariff regime for US exports, noting that it offers the lowest tariffs on most US goods in South Asia.

Furthermore, he committed to zero tariffs on select American commodities, including agricultural products and scrap metals, and announced plans to halve duties on key US exports such as gas turbines, semiconductors and medical equipment.

Non-tariff barriers are also being addressed, with the government working to eliminate redundant testing requirements and to simplify packaging, labelling and certification rules, the letter mentioned.

It also said that trade facilitation measures—including streamlined customs procedures and updated standards—remained underway as well.

In a nod to broader technological and commercial ties, Yunus revealed that Bangladesh has taken steps to enable the launch of Starlink, the satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX.

He said this move marks ‘a new era for US businesses in Bangladesh’ with potential expansions into advanced technology sectors, including civil aviation and defence.

Professor Yunus concluded his letter by urging President Trump to allow time for the implementation of these reforms in coordination with US officials.

‘We will complete the ongoing and planned actions within the next quarter,’ he promised.

‘I would therefore like to request you to kindly postpone the application of the reciprocal tariff measure on Bangladesh exports to the US for three months. I most sincerely hope that you will grant this request,’ the letter added.