US Cuts Tariffs On Bangladesh To 19%, Offers Duty-free Access To Some Garments Just Two Days Before Polls

Washington: The United States on Monday has cut reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi products imported into the Washington to 19 per cent under a new bilateral trade agreement, offering duty-free access to selected textile and apparel goods made with US-produced materials.

What did Muhammad Yunus say?

Bangladesh interim chief adviser Muhammad Yunus on Monday announced that the US had "committed to establishing a mechanism for certain textile and apparel goods from Bangladesh using US-produced cotton and man-made fibre to receive zero reciprocal tariff in (the) US market."

Taking to X, Muhammad Yunus wrote, "The US will further reduce reciprocal tariff to 19 per cent, which was originally set at 37 per cent and later reduced to 20 per cent in August last year. In addition, the US committed to establishing a mechanism for certain textile and apparel goods from Bangladesh using US produced cotton and man-made fiber to receive zero reciprocal tariff in US market."

Bangladesh, US sign reciprocal tariff agreement

WASHINGTON DC, February 9: The Agreement on Reciprocal Tariff between Bangladesh and the United States was signed on Monday. On the Bangladesh side, the signatories were Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and National Security…

— Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) February 9, 2026

The deal has been reached after nine months of negotiations since April 2025. Earlier, US initially had proposed much higher duties in Bangladesh with 37 per cent tariff, which was reduced to 20 per cent in August 2025.

Bangladesh interim chief adviser described the agreement as a major step towards protecting jobs and strengthening the country’s position in the global textile supply chain.

Where was the agreement signed?

The agreement was signed by the Bangladesh Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin and National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman, and on the US side by Ambassador Jamieson Greer, the US Trade Representative.

Inking the first Agreement on Reciprocal Trade in South Asia 🖊️

Ambassador Greer joined Bangladesh’s Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin in signing the U.S.–Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, advancing our economic partnership and opening new markets for U.S. exports.

Learn… pic.twitter.com/L3FM3qWlqM

— United States Trade Representative (@USTradeRep) February 9, 2026

After the signing, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin, who led the Bangladesh side in negotiations, said that the agreement marked a historically new level in our bilateral economic and trade relations. 

"It will provide substantially enhanced access of Bangladesh and the US to each other's respective markets", he said. 

What did US say?

The United States Trade Representative, taking to X said that "The U.S.-Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade is creating new opportunities for American farmers and producers, expanding market access on U.S. exports ranging from soybeans and corn to civil aircraft and motor vehicles."

The U.S.-Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade is creating new opportunities for American farmers and producers, expanding market access on U.S. exports ranging from soybeans and corn to civil aircraft and motor vehicles. pic.twitter.com/B7ligkTHJt

— United States Trade Representative (@USTradeRep) February 9, 2026