Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday reiterated Bangladesh’s strong commitment to advancing ties with the United States, particularly in the fields of trade, investment, energy, and development cooperation.
“Thank you very much for the support. We are very happy about what has happened. This is key to our economy,” Yunus said during his meeting with Assistant United States Trade Representative (AUSTR) Brendan Lynch at his office in Tejgaon, Dhaka.
His remark came in reference to the 31 July decision by the USTR to lower the reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi exports entering the US market from 35% to 20%, a step he described as a landmark in the relationship between the two countries.
At the meeting, the two sides discussed ways to narrow the existing trade imbalance. Bangladesh expressed readiness to import more US farm goods, including cotton and soybeans.
The agenda also included prospects for increased energy cooperation through US LPG supplies, procurement of American aircraft, collaboration on drug control, and support for the Rohingya crisis response.
Yunus said Bangladesh was prepared to boost its purchases from the US and hoped that such moves would encourage further tariff concessions, helping build a balanced and enduring trade relationship.
He also voiced confidence that the draft bilateral trade agreement under negotiation could be finalized soon. “Our interests are closer to those of the United States. That makes this process easier and more promising,” he stated.
The chief adviser further underlined steps taken by Bangladesh to comply with the 11-point Labour Action Plan proposed by Washington, reaffirming the government’s focus on international labour rights and fair practices.
Looking ahead, he said the interim government expected higher levels of investment and concessional loans in crucial areas such as health and education.
“We must make sure the door to US investment in Bangkadesh becomes wider,” he added, assuring the visiting delegation that measures were underway to create a more favorable environment for foreign direct investment.
AUSTR Brendan Lynch praised Bangladesh’s constructive engagement throughout the dialogue and welcomed the momentum in bilateral cooperation.
He recalled that discussions had started in February when the Bangladeshi National Security Adviser met him and offered to reduce the trade gap on Bangladesh’s side, saying this early initiative made negotiations smoother.
“You dispatched a tough negotiating team who worked very hard and effectively,” Lynch said to Yunus, stressing the importance of timely enforcement of tariff arrangements and purchase commitments.
Among those present were Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, USTR Director for South Asia Emily Ashby, Senior Secretary for SDG Affairs Lamiya Murshed, Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, and US Chargé d’Affaires Tracey Ann Jacobson.
