Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: The United States and Bangladesh on January 9 signed a legally binding agreement on reciprocal trade, setting tariff schedules and broad commitments on market access, labour standards, and digital trade, US officials said. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer signed the pact with Bangladesh’s adviser for commerce, textiles and jute, and civil aviation and tourism, Sheikh Bashir Uddin, at a ceremony in Washington.
“Under President Trump’s leadership, the United States is pursuing a trade policy that delivers real results for American workers and businesses,” Greer said.
The agreement is the first reciprocal trade pact the United States has signed in South Asia.
Bangladesh agreed to provide preferential market access for US industrial and agricultural goods. Those include chemicals, machinery, medical devices, energy products, soy, dairy, poultry, beef, tree nuts, and fruits. The United States will apply reciprocal tariff rates to imports from Bangladesh under defined schedules. Most additional tariffs will not exceed 19 per cent. The agreement includes detailed labour provisions. Bangladesh agreed to protect internationally recognized labour rights, strengthen enforcement of labour laws, and prohibit the importation of goods wholly or partially produced by forced or compulsory labour.