Dhaka, July 10 -- The United States' decision to impose a 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi exports - slightly reduced from the previously declared 37 per cent - sends a sobering message to Dhaka: trade diplomacy cannot afford complacency. While President Trump's letter to the interim Bangladeshi government opens a window for renegotiation, the marginal relief it offers raises questions about Bangladesh's effectiveness in defending its trade interests.
Unlike Vietnam, which secured a significant tariff reduction from 46 per cent to 20 per cent, Bangladesh's limited success reflects both a lack of strategic engagement and a diplomatic blind spot. Despite months of back-and-forth, including official communications and draft agreements, the o...