Washington : Bangladesh has successfully secured a new trade agreement with the United States that cuts the U.S. reciprocal tariff on most Bangladeshi exports to 19 per cent and provides duty-free entry for certain garments made with American materials, officials said.
Under the pact, Washington agreed to establish a mechanism enabling specific textile and apparel products manufactured in Bangladesh using U.S.-produced cotton and man-made fibres to enter the U.S. market without reciprocal tariffs. The agreement follows nearly nine months of negotiations and replaces earlier tariffs that had been significantly higher.
Dhaka also pledged to widen access for U.S. goods, reducing barriers for American industrial and agricultural products. As part of the deal, Bangladesh will relax several non-tariff restrictions, including by recognizing U.S. vehicle safety and emissions standards and accepting U.S. Food and Drug Administration certifications for food and medical items.
Officials highlighted planned commercial activity tied to the agreement, including purchases of U.S. aircraft and agricultural goods. Bangladesh state carriers are set to acquire Boeing jets, and Dhaka intends to buy billions of dollars’ worth of U.S. farm and energy products over the next decade and a half.
The deal also includes commitments from Dhaka to uphold internationally recognized labour rights and environmental protections as part of its broader trade obligations.
Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector, a key driver of the nation’s economy, has long pushed for tariff relief to boost competitiveness in the U.S. market. The recently signed agreement comes after a previously negotiated reduction in U.S. tariffs and is set to further ease challenges faced by apparel exporters.
Officials confirmed that the arrangement will take effect once notifications are completed by both governments, marking a significant step in deepening economic ties between Dhaka and Washington.
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