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Apparel makers are now considering writing US buyers seeking their patience and support in the wake of the emerging situation over new US tariff regime, insiders said.
A number of the leading makers sat on Sunday night to brainstorm as to how they can cope with the situation in support with their major US buyers.
Meantime, US buyers of the locally made apparel items have started renegotiation with some of their local suppliers with few asking to hold their shipments either in ports or factories while some others seeking price concession, they added.
They, however, expect large volume of buyers' response on Tuesday onwards as Sunday was holiday and apparel sector trade body BKMEA has already asked its members to provide information in this regard.
On the other hand, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) is likely to write US buyers requesting them to have patience for a certain period and not to impose any additional cost burdens, like keep orders on hold and price discounts, to suppliers.
The trade body would also inform the buyers about the government's diplomatic engagement with the US authorities to align bilateral trade relationship with the US, they added.
Talking to the FE, AKM Saifur Rahman Farhad, vice president of Bangladesh Garment Buying House Association (BGBA), said one of his US customers has asked for price reduction for an order worth of US$0.3 million while wants to renegotiate for goods worth of US$0.175 million.
Abdullah Al Mamun, owner of Sense Garments BD, said he annually produces 0.2 million pieces of apparel for a US buyer and he already shipped goods for May, goods for June is on the process of shipment.
He, also a member of BGBA, said the buyer has asked for suspension of production scheduled for July and holding the fresh order of 0.22 million pieces of apparel for August.
Expressing concern, he said one of his supplier factories that solely produces goods for the buyers is now in uncertainty over a shipment of 0.3 million pieces of garment scheduled to reach US port within 10 to 15 days.
It is not possible to shift the products immediately, he added.
Both the BGBA leaders called for immediate measures from the government as buyers are also expressing concern as to what Bangladesh government is doing.
"They also want to be assured from our parts," Mr Farhad added.
When asked, Fazlee Shamim Ehsan said he also heard that one of the US buyers has asked a garment maker to hold his production for a week to let them better understand the situation.
Responding to a question, he said they are also likely to write to the buyers seeking their supports in the crisis period.
According to him, BKMEA members have received work orders worth of US$2.75 billion since last October to March.
The United States is the single largest export destination for Bangladesh made exportable products mostly readymade garments.
Bilateral trade between the two countries stood at US$10.58 billion in 2024 with Bangladesh maintaining a healthy trade surplus of US$6.15 billion.
Bangladesh exported goods worth US$8.37 billion to the US in 2024 while the country imported $2.21 billion worth of goods from the US.
Out of Bangladesh's US$8.37 billion exports to the US, apparel items fetched US$ 7.34 billion, according to data.
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