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An emergency meeting, convened by Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus to discuss the US tariff issue, was started at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka on Saturday evening.
Top experts, advisers, and officials joined the meeting that started at 7:30 pm, with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the chair, according to the Chief Adviser's Office.
US President Donald Trump recently announced the imposition of new tariffs on goods from more than a hundred countries.
As a result, Bangladeshi export products will now face an additional 37 per cent supplementary tariff upon entering the US
Previously, the average tariff on Bangladeshi goods was around 15 per cent, which has now risen to a total of 52 per cent.
The United States is the largest market for Bangladeshi ready-made garments and also leather and leather goods, ceramic etc.
In 2024, Bangladesh exported goods worth around $8.4 billion to the US, of which $7.34 billion were garments.
The imposition of this new tariff is feared to deliver a major blow to the country’s apparel sector.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, however, has expressed hope that a “positive outcome” will be achieved through discussions.
At the gate of the Chief Adviser's residence Jamuna on Saturday evening, Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam expressed optimism that US and European exports from Bangladesh would increase as a result of positive decisions by the government.
He also said that, following the directive of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, BIDA (Bangladesh Investment Development Authority) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury held a meeting with business leaders on Saturday regarding the new US tariffs.
Prominent business leaders of the country participated in that meeting, along with trade experts.
Among those present were trade expert Dr Zaidi Sattar, and business leaders Nasim Manzur, Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, and Tapan Chowdhury.
Economic Adviser Dr Salahuddin Ahmed, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Ahsan H. Mansur, Chairman of the National Board of Revenue Abdur Rahman Khan, the Chief Adviser’s Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi, Chief Adviser’s High Representative Dr. Khalilur Rahman, and Principal Secretary to the Chief Adviser M. Siraj Uddin Miah also joined the meeting.
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