Sunday, 11 January, 2026
National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday held talks with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington DC, focusing on narrowing the trade gap between Bangladesh and the US and advancing a reciprocal trade agreement.
Dr Rahman also had a separate meeting 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 reducing the bilateral trade gap. He said that even before the formal execution of the reciprocal trade agreement, Bangladesh has significantly increased imports from the US and implemented several key aspects of the proposed deal.
In this context, Dr Rahman proposed that the USTR reduce the current 20% reciprocal tariff. Ambassador Greer agreed to positively consider the proposal.
The US trade representative also agreed to give serious consideration to Dr Rahman’s proposal to lower or eliminate reciprocal tariffs on apparel products that use US content.
Both sides agreed to work toward the rapid resolution of a small number of outstanding issues so that the reciprocal tariff agreement can be finalized and executed expeditiously.
Dr Rahman noted that business-to-business contacts between Bangladesh and the US are expected to increase significantly in the coming days as bilateral trade expands. He urged Ambassador Greer to use his good offices to ease business travel for Bangladeshis, particularly in light of Bangladesh’s recent inclusion in the US visa bond requirement.
The national security adviser also requested access for Bangladesh’s private sector to financing from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Ambassador Greer assured Dr Rahman that he would make efforts to address these issues.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Tareq Md Ariful Islam accompanied Dr Rahman at the meeting, while Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch and other officials were present on behalf of the USTR.
Dr Rahman is scheduled to meet senior US State Department officials on Friday.
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National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman on Thursday held talks with United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer in Washington DC, focusing on narrowing the trade gap between Bangladesh and the US and advancing a reciprocal trade agreement.
Dr Rahman also had a separate meeting 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 reducing the bilateral trade gap. He said that even before the formal execution of the reciprocal trade agreement, Bangladesh has significantly increased imports from the US and implemented several key aspects of the proposed deal.
In this context, Dr Rahman proposed that the USTR reduce the current 20% reciprocal tariff. Ambassador Greer agreed to positively consider the proposal.
The US trade representative also agreed to give serious consideration to Dr Rahman’s proposal to lower or eliminate reciprocal tariffs on apparel products that use US content.
Both sides agreed to work toward the rapid resolution of a small number of outstanding issues so that the reciprocal tariff agreement can be finalized and executed expeditiously.
Dr Rahman noted that business-to-business contacts between Bangladesh and the US are expected to increase significantly in the coming days as bilateral trade expands. He urged Ambassador Greer to use his good offices to ease business travel for Bangladeshis, particularly in light of Bangladesh’s recent inclusion in the US visa bond requirement.
The national security adviser also requested access for Bangladesh’s private sector to financing from the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC). Ambassador Greer assured Dr Rahman that he would make efforts to address these issues.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the US Tareq Md Ariful Islam accompanied Dr Rahman at the meeting, while Assistant USTR Brendan Lynch and other officials were present on behalf of the USTR.
Dr Rahman is scheduled to meet senior US State Department officials on Friday.
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