World Desk

The tariff talks between Bangladesh and the United States (US) were very "comprehensive", touching upon almost all the key aspects of the trade relations, said Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder on Thursday.

He said this after the first day of the second round of three-day tariff talks between Bangladesh and the United States that ended in Washington DC.

Both sides will resume their meeting at 9pm Bangladesh time Thursday, Azad said, adding that talks will also be held on Friday.

Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin led the Bangladesh delegation in Washington DC.

National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, the Chief Adviser's Special Assistant on Posts, Telecommunications and Information Technology Faiz Ahmad Taiyeb joined the talks virtually from Dhaka.

Senior Commerce Ministry officials also attended the meeting in the US capital.

Senior US officials from agriculture, energy, commerce and copyrights agencies joined the meeting.

Earlier, the Office of the US Trade Representative (USTR) invited Bangladesh to the second round of negotiations on the agreement on reciprocal tariff during July 9-11.

Bangladesh is among the first countries to restart negotiations following the issuance of President Donald Trump's letter to leaders of 14 countries on July 7.

US President Donald Trump in his letter to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus said, "We look forward to working with you as your trading partner for many years to come. If you wish to open your heretofore closed trading markets to the United States, and eliminate your tariff, and non-tariff, policies and trade barriers, we will, perhaps, consider an adjustment to this letter."

Trump said these tariffs may be modified, upward or downward, depending on their relationship with Bangladesh. "You will never be disappointed with the United States of America," President Trump wrote to Prof Yunus.

Starting on August 1, 2025, the US President said they will charge Bangladesh a tariff of only 35% on any and all Bangladeshi products sent into the United States, separate from all sectoral tariffs.

"Please understand that the 35% number is far less than what is needed to eliminate the trade deficit disparity we have with your country. As you are aware, there will be no tariff if Bangladesh, or companies within your country, decide to build or manufacture products within the United States and, in fact, we will do everything possible to get approvals quickly, professionally, and routinely - In other words, in a matter of weeks," Trump said.