Bangladesh and the United States held comprehensive discussions on Thursday covering key bilateral issues, including the upcoming elections, trade tariffs, and the ongoing Rohingya crisis. The talks, described as “broad and constructive,” aimed to deepen cooperation and address mutual concerns.
Foreign Secretary Md Jashim Uddin confirmed that the Rohingya issue was a central focus of the discussions, during which Bangladesh sought stronger political and humanitarian support from the US to help manage the protracted refugee situation.
The US delegation included Nicole Ann Chulick, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs, and Andrew R. Herrup, Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs. The delegation held separate meetings with Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain, National Security Adviser Dr Khalilur Rahman, and the Foreign Secretary himself.
Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to elevating Bangladesh-US relations to new heights, according to officials.
Addressing reporters at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jashim said the talks also covered reforms introduced by the interim government, along with trade and investment matters. He highlighted Bangladesh’s increasing import of US agricultural products—such as cotton, wheat, corn, and soybean—as part of efforts to reduce trade imbalance and benefit American farmers.
Bangladesh currently maintains the lowest tariffs on most US goods in South Asia. The government is also considering further tariff reductions on major US exports, including gas turbines, medical equipment, and semiconductors. Plans are underway to establish duty-free bonded warehouses for US cotton to enhance export processing efficiency.
A formal letter outlining these trade initiatives was submitted by Bangladesh’s Commerce Adviser to the US Trade Representative.
Special Envoy on International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi noted that further meetings are planned with key US trade and state officials in Washington, D.C., next week to follow up on these discussions.
During the talks, the US side emphasized that Bangladesh must take concrete action within the 90-day period—ending July 9, 2025—to address specific bilateral trade concerns. In response, Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin clarified that the 90-day period is not viewed as a halt, but as a window for active engagement with stakeholders to find mutually beneficial solutions.
He also called on Washington to reconsider recent USAID funding cuts, particularly those affecting Bangladesh’s health and agriculture sectors, and urged support for the country’s inclusion in the US Development Finance Corporation. The US delegation acknowledged the request but noted that Congressional approval would be required.
On the Rohingya crisis, the Foreign Secretary thanked the US for its ongoing assistance and reiterated the urgency of repatriating Rohingya refugees to Myanmar. He also sought US cooperation for the upcoming Rohingya conference in New York, especially in light of a new influx caused by renewed conflict in Myanmar’s Rakhine State.
The US side praised Bangladesh’s humanitarian efforts and expressed continued support for a sustainable solution to the crisis.
Additionally, the US delegation welcomed Bangladesh’s recent reform initiatives, including the formation of 11 reform commissions aimed at strengthening governance and development.
The meeting was attended by senior US diplomats based in Dhaka, including the US Chargé d’Affaires. Both sides expressed optimism about future collaboration across a range of strategic and developmental priorities.
