Bangladesh’s interim government will sign a US tariff agreement on 9 February, three days before the national election, following a visit to Japan to finalise the BJEPA on 6 February. Under the agreements, 7,379 Bangladeshi products gain duty-free access to Japan, 1,039 Japanese products enter Bangladesh duty-free, and the US reciprocal tariff may be adjusted.
Bangladesh’s interim government will sign a tariff agreement with the US on 9 February 2026, just three days before the national parliamentary election.
The delegation, led by commerce adviser Sk Bashir Uddin and commerce secretary Mahbubur Rahman, will travel via Japan, where the Bangladesh–Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (BJEPA) will be signed on 6 February.
The US agreement finalises an earlier understanding on the 20% reciprocal tariff imposed on Bangladeshi goods, though the final rate may be adjusted. No official statement has yet been issued.
Under the BJEPA, 7,379 Bangladeshi products will gain duty-free access to Japan, while 1,039 Japanese products will enter Bangladesh duty-free.
Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman said, “We have received the date, 9 February, from the US. We have sent a summary seeking approval of the draft agreement and for its signing on that date.”
Regarding the India–EU Free Trade Agreement, the commerce secretary said Bangladesh’s ready-made garment sector is strong, and there is no cause for concern.
