Commerce Advisor of the interim government, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, has stated that the Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus, will personally engage with the United States administration to discuss recently imposed tariffs on Bangladeshi exports.

He made the remarks during a press briefing following the emergency meeting at the state guesthouse, Jamuna, on Saturday night.

Speaking to reporters, Sheikh Bashir Uddin stated that the Chief Advisor will present Bangladesh’s official stance based on the nature and structure of the country`s trade. He emphasized that this direct engagement underscores the importance the government places on addressing the issue swiftly and effectively.

He elaborated that the government is eyeing renegotiations of the tariffs within one or two days through intense discussions that started in February.

"Bangladesh will import more of its necessary goods from the USA and reduce its trade surplus with the country as needed for negotiating the recently announced 37% US reciprocal tariff on Bangladesh to be effective from 9 April," he told reporters at the State Guest House Jamuna this evening (4 April) following Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus`s emergency meeting to discuss the US tariff issue.

The adviser said, "In alignment with the government`s reform agenda, the import barriers are being removed as both countries want to boost bilateral trade.

"Since export cannot be cut, Bangladesh is eyeing more imports from the USA to pave the way for negotiating the high tariff on its exports to the US market," he added.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun held a meeting with business leaders earlier today, then joined the CA`s meeting.

At the briefing, he said, "We have two days in hand for conversations in this regard."

Chief Adviser`s High Representative Khalilur Rahman said, "Nothing to be worried about. It will take one or two more days and we will find a way through intense discussion."

He also said Bangladesh has been one of the first to approach relevant authorities of the US, including the USTR, to find ways to enhance bilateral trade.

"When I had been in Washington in February, they told me `you`re the first to approach us`," Rahman said, stating the interim government`s preemptive engagement soon after the Trump administration took office and already took some initiatives to ease business with the world`s number one economy and Bangladesh`s single largest market.

He reassured that discussions have been ongoing since then and that the government is well-prepared to address the matter. Any future steps will be taken in close coordination with U.S. authorities.