Staff Reporter:
United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer held a virtual meeting with Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman, focusing on bilateral trade, reciprocal tariffs and future economic cooperation between Bangladesh and the United States.
During the meeting, both sides discussed tariff structures, trade imbalances and opportunities to strengthen economic ties. The talks also reviewed prospects for expanding cooperation in the apparel, agriculture and industrial sectors.
Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, Director for South and Central Asia Emily Ashby, and Jamaat-e-Islami’s US spokesperson Prof Mohammad Nakibur Rahman also joined the meeting.
At the outset, Shafiqur thanked Ambassador Greer for initiating the virtual discussion and expressed appreciation for his cooperation on tariff-related issues concerning Bangladesh.
Shafiqur said Ambassador Greer informed him that he had personally met President Donald Trump last week to discuss lowering reciprocal tariffs for Bangladesh. He welcomed the initiative and thanked Greer for raising the issue at the highest level.
He also praised a US proposal to offer special tariff facilities for Bangladeshi garments made using 100 percent US cotton or US-produced man-made fibre. Shafiqur described the proposal as a “win-win” solution that could boost Bangladesh’s garment exports while benefiting US agriculture and industry.
Shafiqur said the reciprocal tariff framework had created a strong foundation for improving bilateral trade and economic relations. He noted that Bangladesh had already begun implementing key aspects of the agreement and had taken steps to reduce the trade deficit between the two countries.
Referring to the upcoming national election scheduled for February, Shafiqur said that if Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami formed the government, his party would continue full implementation of the agreement and work sincerely to deepen trade and investment relations with the United States.
He also welcomed Ambassador Greer’s support for Bangladesh’s access to funding from the US Development Finance Corporation. Shafiqur said DFC financing for private investment could play a crucial role in rapidly expanding bilateral trade and investment.
At the conclusion of the meeting, Shafiqur invited Ambassador Greer to visit Bangladesh and expressed hope that the visit would further strengthen mutual understanding and partnership between the two countries.
