The country鈥檚 textile millers sought support from National Cotton Council of America to facilitate duty waiver negotiations with relevant United States government offices and to assist in expanding US cotton exports to Bangladesh.
They also sought duty-free access to the North American country鈥檚 market for ready-made garments manufactured using US cotton.
In this regard, Showkat Aziz Russell, president of the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association, recently wrote to NCCA president and chief executive officer Gary Adams.聽聽
In the letter, the association also called for Bangladesh to be permanently removed from the list of countries currently facing an additional 37-per cent duty on exports to the US.
Highlighting the importance of Bangladesh鈥檚 textile sector, he said that the BTMA represented 1,856 member mills engaged in yarn and fabric production, dyeing, printing and finishing, with total investments in the sector reaching $23 billion.
鈥極n behalf of Bangladesh鈥檚 textile and apparel industry, we sincerely appreciate the firm and enduring partnership we share with the US market. In 2024,聽 US cotton imports accounted for approximately $270 million, representing about 12 per cent of our total cotton imports,鈥� Showkat said in the letter.
He also emphasised the potential for this figure to increase significantly, possibly by four to five times in the coming years.
The BTMA letter also welcomed the US administration鈥檚 recent decision, announced on April 9, to temporarily suspend the 37-per cent duty for 90 days for Bangladesh and 75 other countries.
鈥楧uring this grace period, a baseline reciprocal duty of 10 per cent has been introduced, meaning that Bangladesh currently faces a total duty of 26 per cent on its exports to the US,鈥� the letter read.
Moreover, he added that this 90-day window offered a critical opportunity for strategic diplomacy and negotiation.
The BTMA president proposed duty-free or zero-tariff access to the US market for RMG products manufactured using US cotton and the permanent removal of Bangladesh from the list of countries subject to the additional 37-per cent duty.
鈥榃e are confident that these measures would enhance bilateral trade and further integrate US cotton into global supply chains through Bangladesh鈥檚 growing ready-made garment industry,鈥� he added.
The letter also stated that the BTMA was committed to prioritising US cotton in a substantial portion of the production, much of which was exported to the US and other global markets.
鈥業n support of this vision, we have already taken several proactive steps. We are preparing to establish a dedicated central warehouse in Bangladesh exclusively for US cotton,鈥� he added, noting that the government of Bangladesh had also demonstrated a strong commitment to deepening trade ties with the US.
Moreover, Mohammad Yunus, chief adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, has submitted comprehensive proposals directly to president Donald J Trump.
He also said that an official delegation comprising several BTMA representatives would visit the US for high-level dialogue with government and private stakeholders.
The BTMA also sent the letter to Eric Geelan, a counselor of the US embassy in Dhaka.
