Bangladesh has secured one of the lowest tariff rates under a new United States trade measure targeting imports from countries linked to concerns about forced labour, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA).
The new policy, announced by Washington on Thursday, introduces additional tariffs on imports from 86 countries under Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974 following investigations by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR). The revised duties came into effect on Friday and range from 10 per cent to 12.5 per cent.
Under the new framework, products imported from Bangladesh will be subject to a 10 per cent tariff, placing the country among 17 economies assigned the lowest rate. The charge will apply in addition to existing Most-Favoured-Nation (MFN) tariff rates.
The ministry said the outcome helps preserve Bangladesh’s position in the United States market, particularly in the ready-made garments sector, where it competes directly with several major manufacturing nations.
By comparison, key competitors including China, Vietnam and Thailand will face the highest tariff rate of 12.5 per cent, creating a wider price gap that could strengthen Bangladesh’s position in the American market.
In a statement, the government reaffirmed its commitment to international labour standards, saying it would continue to work closely with global partners to support sustainable growth, compliance and responsible business practices across the country’s export industries.
Officials said the tariff structure maintains Bangladesh’s competitive advantage over higher-tariff rivals and is expected to support the country’s export performance despite the additional duties.
The US measures replace the temporary 10 per cent global tariff previously introduced under Section 122 of the Trade Act. The latest decision follows USTR investigations into labour practices across a broad group of trading partners.
Bangladesh could also benefit from another proposal currently under consideration by the USTR. The agency is examining the introduction of a three-year tariff-rate quota (TRQ) covering Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia and Malaysia.
If approved, the arrangement would exempt Section 301 tariffs on goods manufactured using US cotton and textile inputs. The Bangladeshi government believes such a move would further strengthen the country’s competitiveness in the US market while encouraging greater use of American raw materials in export manufacturing.
The latest development is expected to provide greater certainty for Bangladeshi exporters serving the United States, the country’s largest single export destination, while reinforcing its position against regional competitors facing steeper tariff rates.
