In response to the reciprocal tariffs imposed by the administration of US President Donald Trump, the Bangladesh government has decided to send two formal letters to the United States within the next 48 hours. One letter will be addressed to President Donald Trump from Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus, while the other will be sent to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) by Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin. This decision was reached during a high-level meeting held at the Finance Ministry's meeting room in the Secretariat on Sunday (April 6). Following the meeting, Chief Advisor’s Press Secretary Mohammad Shafiqul Alam briefed reporters on the government’s plan. The meeting was attended by four advisers, a high-level representative, a special ambassador, approximately ten secretaries, and four representatives from prominent business groups. The discussions focused on formulating a strategic response to mitigate the impact of the newly imposed tariffs on Bangladesh’s economy.
Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said, “We are in constant communication with US officials, including their embassy representatives in Dhaka and the USTR. Based on our deliberations, it has been decided that two letters will be sent within the next 48 hours. One letter will be sent from our Chief Adviser to US President Donald Trump, and another from our Commerce Adviser to the USTR.”
When asked about the content of the letters, Shafiqul Alam explained that the details were still being finalized during the meeting.
He said, “What will be included in the letter and the language to be used were discussed today. All attendees, including advisors, the high representative, the special ambassador, secretaries, and business leaders, contributed to the discussion. After thorough deliberation, it was decided that the letters would be dispatched promptly within 48 hours.”
He emphasised that the letters would adopt a business-friendly tone, prioritizing Bangladesh’s economic interests while ensuring mutual benefits for both nations.
“The letters will reflect our commitment to fostering a win-win situation between the USA and Bangladesh. We aim to enhance market access for Bangladeshi products in the US,” he added.
The press secretary further highlighted that Bangladesh seeks to position itself as a competitive player in the global market. “Our goal is to ensure that Bangladesh remains more business-friendly than its competitors. This approach will help us expand exports to the US, which is already one of our largest markets,” he said.
Shafiqul Alam iterated the importance of the US market for Bangladesh, noting that it presents significant opportunities for increased exports. “The US is the largest market in the world, and we have the potential to export billions of dollars’ worth of goods there. This was a key point raised by our advisers and business leaders during today’s meeting,” he said.
The letters aim to address concerns arising from the tariff hikes while proposing measures to strengthen bilateral trade relations. By emphasizing Bangladesh’s commitment to fair trade practices and highlighting its competitive advantages, the government hopes to secure favourable terms for its exporters.