Khalilur Rahman Seeks Tariff Cut in Talks With US Trade Chief

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman met with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington DC on Thursday afternoon.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman held talks with US Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington, DC on Thursday afternoon, focusing on trade relations and tariff issues between Bangladesh and the United States.

Dr Rahman also met separately with Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.

During the meeting with Ambassador Greer, Dr Rahman briefed him on Bangladesh’s recent progress in narrowing the bilateral trade gap. He said Bangladesh had already taken significant steps by increasing imports from the United States and implementing several key elements of the proposed reciprocal trade agreement, even before its formal execution.

Against this backdrop, Dr Rahman proposed a reduction of the current 20 per cent reciprocal tariff. Ambassador Greer agreed to consider the proposal positively.

The US trade chief also agreed to give serious consideration to Bangladesh’s request to lower or remove reciprocal tariffs on apparel products that use US-origin content.

Both sides agreed to swiftly resolve a small number of outstanding issues so that the reciprocal tariff agreement could be finalised and implemented without delay.

Dr Rahman noted that growing trade volumes are expected to lead to a substantial increase in business engagement between the two countries. He urged Ambassador Greer to use his good offices to facilitate business travel for Bangladeshi nationals, particularly in light of Bangladesh’s recent inclusion in the US visa bond programme.

He also requested access to Development Finance Corporation (DFC) funding for Bangladesh’s private sector. Ambassador Greer assured him of his efforts on these matters.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to the United States, Tareq Md Ariful Islam, accompanied Dr Rahman, while Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch and other officials were present on behalf of the USTR.

Dr Rahman is scheduled to meet senior officials of the US State Department today (Friday).