Act fast before ‘brief’ 90-day tariff pause ends

Calling the US's 90-day tariff pause a brief window of opportunity, a visiting American delegation yesterday urged Dhaka to take concrete steps to address Washington's trade concerns within this period.

US President surprised the global community with his announcement of sweeping trade tariffs on most countries. However, just hours before they were set to take effect on April 9, he withdrew them for all except China.

During a meeting with Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin at the foreign ministry, US officials also emphasised the importance of implementing necessary measures before the pause expires on July 9, according to a statement issued by the ministry.

The US team included Nicole Chulick, deputy assistant secretary of state for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, Andrew Herrup, deputy assistant secretary of state at the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, and other officials.

The meeting discussed key areas of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, development cooperation, people-to-people ties, and the Rohingya crisis, added the release.

The foreign secretary said the government was considering several measures to address the bilateral trade gap with the US.

He said Bangladesh is actively engaging stakeholders to find ways to navigate the new situation for the mutual benefit of both countries.

Jashim Uddin reaffirmed Bangladesh's commitment to improving labour standards and highlighted the reform initiatives undertaken by the interim government's 11 reform commissions.

The US delegation reiterated the US administration's support in this regard.

The foreign secretary also requested the US to reconsider recent USAID funding cuts, particularly in the health and agriculture sectors, and sought support for Bangladesh's inclusion in the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC).

The US said authorisation from Congress is required for the DFC matter.

Jashim Uddin thanked the US for its continued support for the Rohingyas and stressed the need for repatriation to their homeland in Myanmar.

He also highlighted the new influx of Rohingyas due to the ongoing conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine State and sought US support and partnership in the upcoming conference on Rohingyas to be held in New York.

The US side appreciated Bangladesh's hosting of over a million Rohingyas and assured that it would remain engaged in the process.

The meeting concluded with both sides expressing a strong commitment to further advancing the Bangladesh-US partnership in the days ahead.