US to exempt some Bangladeshi clothes from tariffs

Bangladesh is a major producer of clothes

Bangladesh has secured exemptions for some clothes and textiles that are made with US-produced materials, as part of a new agreement announced on Monday.

As part of the deal, Washington will also cut its tariffs on Bangladesh from 20% to 19%, in exchange for Dhaka to open its markets to a wider range of American goods.

The apparel industry forms the backbone of Bangladesh, which is the world's second largest exporter of clothes after China.

The South Asian country has been in long-drawn talks with the White House after President Donald Trump imposed sweeping tariffs on global trading partners in April last year.

The White House said in a joint statement between the sides that the agreement will strengthen the countries' economic ties and offer both "unprecedented access" to each market.

It said the US will lower its tariff rate on Bangladesh and will also identify certain clothing and textile goods from the country to enter the US free of tariffs.

The goods include those produced with American cotton and man-made textiles, the statement said. The volume of these will be determined by how much textiles the US exports to Bangladesh.

The clothing sector accounts for more than 80% of Bangladesh's total export revenue and employs around four million workers.

In exchange, Bangladesh has agreed to provide "significant preferential market access" to a host of American agricultural and industrial goods. These include opening up its markets to more US chemicals, medical devices, car parts, soy products and meat, said the White House.

The BBC has contacted the Bangladeshi government for comment.

As part of the agreement announced on Monday, Dhaka will recognise American food and drug and vehicle safety and emission rules, making it easier for US goods to enter the country.

Bangladesh also committed to observe internationally recognised labour rights, ramp up its environmental protection efforts, and uphold its agreement to buy billions of dollars of American agriculture, aircraft and energy products, according to the statement.

Bangladesh is set to head to the polls on Thursday for general elections.

The country has been led by an interim government since 2024, when former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina fled to India after being ousted over the fatal crackdown on student-led protests.

The US's newly announced tariff cut puts Bangladesh nearly level with its neighbour and regional competitor India, which faces an 18% levy from the US.

Both South Asian countries compete to export clothes, footwear, along with agricultural goods.

India was initially hit with 25% US levies when Trump announced his first round of reciprocal tariffs in April 2025. Bangladesh, on the other hand, was given a 37% tariff.