Dhaka, Washington discuss election, tariff, Rohingya issues
"We broadly discussed the Rohingya issue," Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin said, adding that the upcoming election issue was also discussed
Bangladesh on Thursday (17 April) sought greater political and humanitarian support from the United States to help address the Rohingya crisis in addition to raising the high tariff issues.
"We broadly discussed the Rohingya issue," Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin said, adding that the upcoming election issue was also discussed.
The US delegation comprising of US Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs (SCA) Nicole Ann Chulick and Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs Andrew R Herrup met Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser and High Representative to Chief Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman and the Foreign Secretary separately and discussed the issues of mutual interest.
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Both sides expressed "strong commitment" to further advancing the Bangladesh-US partnership to a "newer height" in the days to come.
Briefing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Secretary Jashim said they also discussed the ongoing reform issues and steps taken by the interim government.
The centrepiece of Bangladesh's actions is to significantly increase the imports of US agricultural products such as cotton, wheat, corn and soybean which will offer benefits to US farmers.
Bangladesh has the lowest tariff on most US exports in the South Asian region.
The Chief Adviser indicated further tariff cuts on US products are being fashioned, including top US export items such as gas turbines, semiconductors and medical equipment.
Bangladesh will build dedicated duty free bonded warehouses for cotton to improve speed to market.
A separate letter detailing the actions by Bangladesh was sent by the Commerce Advisor to the US Trade Representative.
Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi said, "I have further important discussions scheduled with the offices of USTR, Commerce and State department, in Washington DC next week."
The meeting with the Foreign Secretary discussed the key areas of bilateral relations, including trade, investment, development cooperation, and people-to-people connections as well as Rohingya crisis.
Referring to the letter from the Chief Adviser and the Commerce Adviser, the Foreign Secretary indicated that government was considering a few measures to address the bilateral trade gap with the US.
The US side flagged that 90-day is a very short time and concrete measures have to be taken and implemented before 09 July 2025 to resolve the issue.
The Foreign Secretary said that Bangladesh does not consider 90 days pause as a stop and is actively utilising the time to find out ways in consultations with the stakeholders to deal with the new situation for the mutual benefits of both the countries.
The Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the country's commitment to improving labor standards.
Requested to Revisit USAID Funding
Foreign Secretary Jashim requested to revisit the recent USAID funding cuts, particularly in the health and agriculture sectors, and sought support for Bangladesh's inclusion at the US Development Finance Corporation.
The US side noted the status, appreciated the progress and conveyed the authorisation of the Congress is needed in that regard.
The Foreign Secretary thanked the US Government for its sustained support for the Rohingya and emphasised the need for repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Myanmar.
Highlighting the new influx of Rohingya due to conflict in Myanmar's Rakhine State, he urged the USA's support and partnership in the upcoming Rohingya conference to be held in New York.
The US side appreciated the hosting of more than a million Rohingyas in Bangladesh and assured the Bangladesh side to remain engaged in the process.
The Foreign Secretary highlighted the Government's reform initiatives undertaken by 11 reform commissions.
The visiting US delegation appreciated government's reform measures and reiterated support from the US Administration in this regard.
The US CDA to Bangladesh and other diplomats of the USA were also present at the meeting.
