REFAYET ULLAH MIRDHA

Local apparel makers are seeing delays in the confirmation of work orders for the next summer season, as US retailers and brands wait for the final decision on reciprocal tariffs by the US administration, expected in early July.

Western buyers usually place orders for upcoming seasons, such as summer and autumn, between June and September.

This year, US buyers are booking production slots as usual but are taking longer to confirm orders, according to manufacturers.

They say work orders from US-based retailers and brands are still slow, as buyers are in a wait-and-see mood now.

For now, exporters are busy shipping apparel for the upcoming Christmas season. These shipments are expected to continue until the first week of October.

Like other countries, these consignments from Bangladesh will face an additional 10 percent baseline tariff imposed by the Trump administration.

In early April, US President Donald Trump announced high reciprocal tariffs on imported goods, set to take effect from April 9. But just before the date, he announced a three-month pause, pushing the deadline to July 9.

Local exporters are hoping Washington will reconsider the proposed rates for key sourcing countries such as Bangladesh.

Faruque Hassan, managing director of Giant Group, said that under the new tariff plan, Bangladeshi products would face the highest rate after China, at 26 percent, including the additional 10 percent baseline tariff.

Hassan expressed hope that the US would not impose such a high rate, pointing out that it would be the steepest ever for Bangladeshi goods in the American market.