Sunday, 03 August, 2025
The United States’ decision to reduce tariffs on Bangladeshi exports—from 35 per cent to 20 per cent—has drawn a mixed response across the political spectrum. While some parties have hailed it as a diplomatic success, others have raised questions about the conditions attached to the deal and called for full transparency.
The BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and factions within the Jatiya Party welcomed the development, crediting the interim government for effective engagement with Washington.
By contrast, leaders from the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and segments of the Jatiya Party expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the negotiations. They warned that any opaque or unequal agreement could compromise the country’s long-term interests.
Speaking at an event in Uttara on Friday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described the revised tariff as a “positive” outcome.
“There’s good news today,” he told the gathering. “Only days ago, the US had imposed a 35 per cent tariff on our exports. That meant a product worth Tk 100 would be priced at Tk 135, which would significantly undermine competitiveness.
“But our foreign office and advisers have successfully negotiated a reduction to 20 per cent. I thank the interim government for fulfilling this critical responsibility.”
Yet concerns persist within the BNP over the broader implications of the agreement.
Party Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, speaking to reporters in Gulshan, said: “All we know is that the tariff has been reduced. But we have no details on what was offered in return. Without that context, it’s difficult to judge the true impact.”
Support also came from Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman, who posted a statement on Facebook: “The high tariff rate imposed by the United States has been reduced to 20 per cent through the active efforts of the Bangladesh government and constructive engagement from the US side.
“I thank President Donald Trump and the government of Muhammad Yunus. I hope that Dr Yunus—and whoever leads in future—will uphold the dignity of Bangladesh and act responsibly in international diplomacy.”
The initial 35 per cent tariff, introduced on 2 April as part of President Trump’s broader second-term strategy targeting over 100 countries, hit Bangladesh particularly hard. In the months that followed, Dhaka and Washington entered negotiations aimed at narrowing the trade deficit and addressing U.S. concerns.
Bangladesh agreed to increase imports of American wheat, soybean oil, and cotton, and announced a multi-billion-dollar deal to purchase 25 aircraft from U.S. aerospace giant Boeing. Tariff relief was subsequently offered on more than 600 Bangladeshi products.
However, not all responses have been favourable.
CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince told bdnews24.com that any secret understanding between the two governments would be unacceptable.
“Since the tariff was imposed, our diplomats have been actively lobbying. Now it appears that a deal—possibly secret—has been made. If that agreement is unequal or anti-national, then it will not serve the people,” he warned.
“We hear comments about not upsetting the U.S., but Bangladesh’s interests must come first.”
Jatiya Party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary also welcomed the tariff reduction but echoed concerns over transparency.
“A 20 per cent tariff is certainly good news,” he said. “But citizens have a right to know the terms. Our constitution does not allow for non-disclosure agreements in state affairs. No such NDA has ever been signed in the past.”
Nonetheless, a separate Jatiya Party faction led by Anisul Islam Mahmud, ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, and Mujibul Haque Chunnu issued a joint statement praising the development.
“The decision by the United States to reduce tariffs from 35 per cent to 20 per cent is positive and encouraging,” the statement read. “It will boost our economy, generate employment, and strengthen Bangladesh’s export competitiveness. We urge the business community to make the most of this opportunity.”
The National Citizen Party (NCP) also welcomed the move. Alaudddin Mohammad, the party’s Joint Member Secretary, called it a “preliminary victory” achieved through sustained diplomatic dialogue.
“Reducing the 37 per cent supplementary tariff to 20 per cent is undoubtedly a step in the right direction,” he said. “But negotiations must continue—and national interest must remain non-negotiable.”
“Tariff rates may fluctuate. Product lists may change. But national security and strategic autonomy must always come first.”
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The United States’ decision to reduce tariffs on Bangladeshi exports—from 35 per cent to 20 per cent—has drawn a mixed response across the political spectrum. While some parties have hailed it as a diplomatic success, others have raised questions about the conditions attached to the deal and called for full transparency.
The BNP, Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami, the National Citizen Party (NCP), and factions within the Jatiya Party welcomed the development, crediting the interim government for effective engagement with Washington.
By contrast, leaders from the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) and segments of the Jatiya Party expressed concern over the lack of clarity surrounding the negotiations. They warned that any opaque or unequal agreement could compromise the country’s long-term interests.
Speaking at an event in Uttara on Friday, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir described the revised tariff as a “positive” outcome.
“There’s good news today,” he told the gathering. “Only days ago, the US had imposed a 35 per cent tariff on our exports. That meant a product worth Tk 100 would be priced at Tk 135, which would significantly undermine competitiveness.
“But our foreign office and advisers have successfully negotiated a reduction to 20 per cent. I thank the interim government for fulfilling this critical responsibility.”
Yet concerns persist within the BNP over the broader implications of the agreement.
Party Standing Committee member Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, speaking to reporters in Gulshan, said: “All we know is that the tariff has been reduced. But we have no details on what was offered in return. Without that context, it’s difficult to judge the true impact.”
Support also came from Jamaat-e-Islami chief Shafiqur Rahman, who posted a statement on Facebook: “The high tariff rate imposed by the United States has been reduced to 20 per cent through the active efforts of the Bangladesh government and constructive engagement from the US side.
“I thank President Donald Trump and the government of Muhammad Yunus. I hope that Dr Yunus—and whoever leads in future—will uphold the dignity of Bangladesh and act responsibly in international diplomacy.”
The initial 35 per cent tariff, introduced on 2 April as part of President Trump’s broader second-term strategy targeting over 100 countries, hit Bangladesh particularly hard. In the months that followed, Dhaka and Washington entered negotiations aimed at narrowing the trade deficit and addressing U.S. concerns.
Bangladesh agreed to increase imports of American wheat, soybean oil, and cotton, and announced a multi-billion-dollar deal to purchase 25 aircraft from U.S. aerospace giant Boeing. Tariff relief was subsequently offered on more than 600 Bangladeshi products.
However, not all responses have been favourable.
CPB General Secretary Ruhin Hossain Prince told bdnews24.com that any secret understanding between the two governments would be unacceptable.
“Since the tariff was imposed, our diplomats have been actively lobbying. Now it appears that a deal—possibly secret—has been made. If that agreement is unequal or anti-national, then it will not serve the people,” he warned.
“We hear comments about not upsetting the U.S., but Bangladesh’s interests must come first.”
Jatiya Party Secretary General Shameem Haider Patwary also welcomed the tariff reduction but echoed concerns over transparency.
“A 20 per cent tariff is certainly good news,” he said. “But citizens have a right to know the terms. Our constitution does not allow for non-disclosure agreements in state affairs. No such NDA has ever been signed in the past.”
Nonetheless, a separate Jatiya Party faction led by Anisul Islam Mahmud, ABM Ruhul Amin Howlader, and Mujibul Haque Chunnu issued a joint statement praising the development.
“The decision by the United States to reduce tariffs from 35 per cent to 20 per cent is positive and encouraging,” the statement read. “It will boost our economy, generate employment, and strengthen Bangladesh’s export competitiveness. We urge the business community to make the most of this opportunity.”
The National Citizen Party (NCP) also welcomed the move. Alaudddin Mohammad, the party’s Joint Member Secretary, called it a “preliminary victory” achieved through sustained diplomatic dialogue.
“Reducing the 37 per cent supplementary tariff to 20 per cent is undoubtedly a step in the right direction,” he said. “But negotiations must continue—and national interest must remain non-negotiable.”
“Tariff rates may fluctuate. Product lists may change. But national security and strategic autonomy must always come first.”
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