Trump Tariffs Push Ahead US Buyers Towards Bangladesh

Recently,the tariff hikes imposed by the Doland Trump on Indian and Chinese goods, have started reshaping global trade and creating new opportunities for Bangladesh. With duties on Indian exports soaring up to 50%, American buyers are increasingly turning to Bangladeshi suppliers for apparel, hardware, and other products.

Bangladesh is looking a sharp increase in inquiries from US retailers and importers after Washington’s tariff hike made aggravating from India and China due to costlier rate. Industry insiders added that expanding demand for a range of products, from ready-made garments (RMG) to PVC pipes, construction materials, light-engineering items, and PP woven bags.

AGM at Meghna Bulk Bag Industries Ltd, Kazal Arifen, said orders are progressively, mounting though many are still under negotiation. He tensed that “The US tariff hike is opening doors, but competition will intensify in the EU market as Indian exporters shift focus there,”

COO Engr. Paritosh Mitra said, Many companies like Akij Pipes Ltd, opportunities are emerging, but challenges remain.“We’ve received new US inquiries, but Bangladesh’s existing 20% duty is a also a tuff for us , with some buyers asking us to share the cost.”

Md Saiful Islam, proprietor of Foresight Business Solutions said that, growing requirement for light-engineering products but worried about the need for policy support. “Bonded warehouses and duty drawbacks could make us more competitive,” he said, revealing plans to set up a dedicated facility for US exports.

The apparel industry, Bangladesh’s export backbone, is already benefitting. Shovon Islam, MD of Sparrow Group, said, “We’re getting up to 15% more orders for the upcoming summer season as US buyers divert from India and Vietnam.” However, he focus the need for government support, as like energy stability and faster customs processes, to sustain the growth. 

Exporters persuade the government to move quickly on bilateral trade deals, to decrease raw material duties, and inherence bonded warehouse facilities to fully capitalise on the shifting trade surrounding.

Bangladesh trade internationally $8.69 billion worth of goods to the US in FY25, up from $7.60 billion last year, with the US market according to the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB),keep recording for 18% of total earnings.

Most of the Industry specialist believe that, Bangladesh is well-positioned to strengthen its role as a key sourcing hub, but maintaining momentum will require proactive policies and competitiveness enhancements.