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The association urged the USTR to avoid any action that would further increase tariffs on these goods.

It also said the broad, multi-country investigation appears to be aimed at a pre-determined outcome rather than a focused review of specific practices.

The AAFA added that the investigation may be used to recreate tariff rates and structures that existed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA).

It also cited Treasury Secretary Bessent, who said, “We will get back to the same tariff level for the countries. It will be just in a less direct and slightly more convoluted manner.”

The association warned that this approach could weaken the government’s ability to properly investigate and address specific foreign trade barriers.

In conclusion, the letter said the industry should not face unintended negative impacts from these investigations. It warned against further tariffs on an already heavily taxed sector, saying such measures would raise costs for American families while doing little to boost domestic production due to existing capacity and investment limits.

BANGLADESH EXPORTS SHOW STRONG GROWTH IN US MARKET

For example, in 2025, clothing exports -- accounting for 86 percent of Bangladesh’s total exports to the US -- rose by 12.36 percent to 266.15 crore square metre equivalents (SME). In value terms, exports increased by 11.75 percent to $8.20 billion compared with 2024, according to the USTR.

Footwear exports from Bangladesh reached 1.78 crore pairs, a rise of 76.43 percent in 2025 compared with 2024. In value terms, footwear exports grew by 52.67 percent to $391.77 million.

Travel goods exports increased by 26.32 percent to 2.15 crore pieces in 2025. Their value also rose by 35.44 percent to $12.37 million, the USTR said.

In another letter, the Forced Labor Working Group (FLWG) of the AAFA, along with 17 other trade organisations, urged the USTR not to impose tariffs linked to forced labour investigations.

They said companies that have invested heavily in compliance systems and are working to eliminate forced labour in supply chains should not be penalised through broad tariff measures that do not distinguish between responsible firms and bad actors.

The letter added that, under Agreements on Reciprocal Trade (ART) and related framework negotiations with the US, several economies -- including some covered by the investigation --have already committed to protecting labour rights and banning imports made with forced labour.