The United States has the potential to amass over US $ 1 billion in tariffs on Bangladeshi products if additional tariffs are imposed, according to a recent study by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD). The analysis highlights that the US currently imports 1,208 items from Bangladesh, while Bangladesh imports 2,515 items from the US.
During a dialogue titled Trump’s Reciprocal Tariffs: Implications for Bangladesh and Its Response, held in Dhaka, CPD presented its findings on the impact of potential tariff hikes. The study notes that Bangladesh collects an average of US $ 2,215 in duties per import, compared to US $ 927 collected by the US on its imports from Bangladesh. In 2024, US imports from Bangladesh were valued at over US $ 8.45 billion, while Bangladesh’s imports from the US stood at approximately US $ 2.53 billion.
CPD Distinguished Fellow Mustafizur Rahman explained that Bangladesh currently imposes an average customs duty of 6.2 per cent on US imports. After rebates, this duty drops to an effective 2.2 per cent. Meanwhile, the US applies a significantly higher weighted average tariff of 15.1 per cent on imports from Bangladesh, with duties on apparel alone reaching US $ 1.191 billion.
The study emphasised the need for Bangladesh to monitor how US tariffs could affect its export competitiveness, especially vis-à-vis countries like Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. It also recommended exploring strategic avenues such as engaging the US through the Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA).
Additionally, CPD suggested that Bangladesh should seek a list of products on which the US would prefer duty-free or reduced-duty access when exporting to Bangladesh. The report also referenced concerns raised in the USTR National Trade Estimates Report (March 2025), including Bangladesh’s failure to submit certain trade transparency notifications under the Trade Facilitation Agreement and issues related to its customs valuation legislation and WTO commitments.
The findings underscore the importance for Bangladesh to strategise and negotiate to safeguard its trade interests amid shifting US trade policies.
