The interim government has failed to leverage a 90-day grace period granted by the United States to negotiate a resolution on the recently imposed 35% tariffs on Bangladeshi exports.

Despite early opportunities for bilateral talks with the USTR (United States Trade Representative), the government delayed action and is now scrambling at the last moment.

Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin flew to Washington, DC, without any business delegation, yet returned with no progress. Meanwhile, Bangladesh’s trade competitors have already secured favorable terms through negotiations. Frustration is growing within the business community and government alike.

Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman admitted, “The ministry has never been in such a crisis. This kind of retaliatory tariff doesn’t happen often — maybe a few times since 1947.”

The government is now rushing to send a formal position paper to the USTR but has yet to finalize it. Officials cite non-disclosure agreements and internal legal requirements for the delay, while the USTR has refused to schedule further talks without a prepared agenda.

Amid all this, Bangladesh signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the US to import 700,000 tonnes of wheat annually. The government claims this will strengthen bilateral trust, but economists warn that the financial burden will ultimately fall on the people.

At the heart of the tension is not just trade — US officials are reportedly prioritizing “inter-regional security” over traditional bilateral trade. The exact meaning of this term remains unclear, and the interim government is keeping details strictly confidential, raising concerns about transparency and sovereignty.