Bangladesh hopes to build on the progress made during the first round of fruitful negotiations with the United States, as the second round of talks on the tariff issue is set to begin in Washington DC today (Wednesday).
"Bangladesh hopes to build on the progress made during the first round of fruitful negotiations on 27th June and conclude the agreement expeditiously," said Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam on Wednesday.
The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating US international trade, commodity and direct investment policy and overseeing negotiations with other countries.
The head of USTR is the US Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator and spokesperson on trade issues.
The USTR has invited Bangladesh to the second round of negotiations on the Agreement on Reciprocal Tariff during July 9-11, 2025.
"Bangladesh is among the first countries to restart negotiations following the issuance of President Trump's letter to leaders of 14 countries on July 7," Alam said.
Trump announces 35% tariff on Bangladeshi goods, to be effective Aug. 1
Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, who is leading the Bangladesh delegation, will participate in person in Washington DC while National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman will join virtually from Dhaka, said the Press Secretary.
Senior officials, including the Commerce Secretary and an Additional Commerce Secretary, have arrived in Washington DC to join the talks.
US President Donald Trump in his letter to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, "We look forward to working with you as your trading partner for many years to come. If you wish to open your heretofore closed trading markets to the United States, and eliminate your tariff, and non-tariff, policies and trade barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter."
Trump said these tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on their relationship with Bangladesh. "You will never be disappointed with the United States of America," President Trump wrote to Prof Yunus.
Starting on August 1, 2025, the US President said they will charge Bangladesh a tariff of only 35% on any and all Bangladeshi products sent into the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs.
"Please understand that the 35% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit disparity we have with your country. As you are aware, there will be no tariff if Bangladesh, or companies within your country, decide to build or manufacture products within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely - In other words, in a matter of weeks," Trump said.
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The White House in its factsheets said President Trump is the best trade negotiator in history. “His strategy has focused on addressing systemic imbalances in our tariff rates that have tilted the playing field in favor of our trading partners for decades.”
The White House said countries that are not serious about addressing the tariff and non-tariff trade barriers that impede American exports and harm American workers, farmers and businesses are facing the consequences.
On July 7, President Trump signed an Executive Order determining that certain tariff rates, which were initially set to expire on July 9, will expire on August 1, 2025.
President Trump has sent tariff notification letters to multiple countries, informing them of new reciprocal tariff rates set to take effect on August 1.
The US President may send more letters in the coming days and weeks.
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The countries he sent letters include: Bangladesh (35%), Japan (25%), Korea (25%), South Africa (30%), Kazakhstan (25%), Laos (40%), Malaysia (25%), Myanmar (40%), Tunisia (25%), Bosnia and Herzegovina (30%), Indonesia (32%), Serbia (35%), Cambodia (36%) and Thailand (36%).