Bangladesh has ordered 25 aircraft from Boeing and increased imports of key American goods to reduce trade tensions and lower the steep tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, a senior official said on Sunday.
This strategy aims to narrow a $6 billion U.S. trade deficit with Bangladesh and prevent a looming 35% tariff increase that has unsettled the country’s export sector, especially its garment industry, which could lose competitiveness in one of its largest markets.
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Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman stated, “We urgently need new aircraft, possibly within the next two years.” He also noted, “Initially, we planned to buy 14 Boeing airplanes, but now the number has increased to 25,” referring to the previous plan to purchase aircraft from the U.S.-based manufacturer.
In addition to the aircraft deal, Bangladesh is increasing imports of wheat, soybean oil, and cotton from the United States. A recent agreement signed earlier this month will facilitate the import of 700,000 tonnes of U.S. wheat annually for the next five years.
Officials hope these measures will improve trade relations with Washington and mitigate the effects of the tariffs imposed during the Trump administration.
