The White House announced a trade agreement with Bangladesh on the 9th, under which Bangladesh will provide preferential market access for U.S. industrial and agricultural products. In return, the U.S. will reduce the so-called "reciprocal tariffs" on Bangladeshi goods from 20% to 19% and consider exempting some textile and apparel products from these tariffs. Multiple media outlets in Bangladesh cited business and analyst sources, reporting that although the trade agreement formally lowers tariffs, Bangladesh has not received tariff treatment equal to that of its major competitors. This means the agreement will have limited impact on improving Bangladesh's export competitiveness. Relevant parties are concerned that "symbolic tariff reductions" will not fundamentally change the unfavorable position of Bangladesh's pillar industries, such as ready-made garments, in the U.S. market. The Trump administration announced in early April 2025 that it would impose a 37% so-called "reciprocal tariff" on Bangladeshi goods, which was reduced to 20% in August last year.
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