Jamaat Ameer holds virtual meeting with US trade representative

Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Dr Shafiqur Rahman held a virtual meeting with United States Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer this morning (16 January). 

The discussion started at around at 9:15am (BST), focused on bilateral trade, mutual tariff rates, and future economic cooperation between the two countries.

At the start of the meeting, Dr Shafiqur Rahman thanked Ambassador Greer for initiating the call and expressed his appreciation for the US support in discussions on mutual tariff rates. He noted that Ambassador Greer had recently met President Donald Trump to discuss tariff reductions with Bangladesh and thanked him for this effort.

The Jamaat Ameer also welcomed the US proposal to grant special tariff benefits on garments made from 100% US cotton or manmade fibres. He described the proposal as a win-win formula that could boost Bangladeshi exports while benefiting US agriculture and industry.

Shafiqur said the bilateral tariff agreement provides a strong foundation for trade and economic relations and highlighted that Bangladesh is already implementing key aspects of the deal while taking steps to reduce trade deficits. 

He added that if Jamaat-e-Islami forms the government after the February national elections, the party will continue full implementation of the agreement and work to deepen trade and investment ties with the US.

The Jamaat Ameer also welcomed support for Bangladesh's access to US Development Finance Corporation funds, calling it an effective tool to expand bilateral trade and investment. He concluded by inviting Ambassador Greer to visit Bangladesh to strengthen mutual understanding and partnership.

The meeting was also attended by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, Director for South and Central Asia Emily Ashby, and Jamaat-e-Islami US spokesperson Professor Dr Mohammad Nakibur Rahman