In recent statements, Bangladesh officials refuted claims that the country has imposed a 74 per cent tariff on apparel and other imports from the United States, calling the calculations inaccurate and misleading. Abdur Rahman Khan, Chairman of Bangladesh’s National Board of Revenue (NBR), confirmed that the actual tariff rates on US goods, including apparel, are significantly lower and will be communicated to the Trump administration shortly.
The clarification comes in light of the United States recently imposing a 37 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi goods, citing concerns over high tariffs on American products. Economists have pointed out that this assertion regarding the 74 per cent tariff does not align with the reality of trade between the two nations, particularly in the apparel sector.
Khan emphasised that many key products imported from the US, including textiles and raw materials essential for Bangladesh’s apparel industry, face zero tariffs. He noted that the average customs duty on US imports is around 4.48 per cent, with a total of Taka 1,411 crore collected in customs from goods valued at US $ 2.62 billion imported in 2024.
Apparel remains a crucial sector for Bangladesh’s economy, and the country relies on specific US imports for its textile industry. Scrap iron, a raw material for manufacturing rods, is the largest import from the US, totaling US $ 778.6 million last fiscal year, with an average tariff of just 4 per cent. Other notable imports include butane and cotton, both essential for the country’s manufacturing capabilities, which also enjoy minimal or zero tariffs.
Khan criticised the US administration’s rationale for tariff imposition, arguing that tariffs should be based on products rather than targeting specific countries, as this approach violates international trade laws established by the World Trade Organization (WTO).
As negotiations continue, Bangladesh aims to present accurate tariff information to the US to rectify any misunderstandings and ensure a fair-trade relationship, particularly in the vital apparel sector.
