FROM PAGE B1

He noted that while American cotton offers superior quality, greater clarity is needed on the tariff benefits available to Bangladeshi exporters.

During discussions with US officials, Russell sought clarification on the RoO requirements governing the use of US cotton and man-made fibre in garments eligible for tariff concessions.

Based on discussions with US officials, he said the reduced tariff facility may apply only to a specified quota rather than all exports.

Russell also stressed the need for warehouse facilities in Bangladesh to store and market US cotton. Imports from neighbouring countries require much shorter lead times, while shipments from the US can take more than 45 days, potentially affecting exporters’ competitiveness.

Faisal Samad, a director of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said the association will meet officials from the US Embassy in Dhaka next week to discuss the RoO requirements for garments made from US cotton and man-made fibre.

BGMEA leaders had previously sought clarification on the issue during meetings with visiting US Trade Representative (USTR) officials, but were told that work on the framework was still underway.

The US currently accounts for nearly 9 percent of Bangladesh’s annual cotton imports, which are valued at nearly $4.0 billion.

US goods trade with Bangladesh totalled an estimated $11.8 billion in 2025.

American imports from Bangladesh reached $9.5 billion -- up 13.3 percent from 2024 -- while US exports to Bangladesh were $2.3 billion.

The resulting trade deficit stood at $7.1 billion, a 17.9 percent increase from the previous year. Garments account for 86 percent of Bangladesh’s exports to the US.