Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman on Sunday said that Bangladesh has ordered 25 aircraft from Boeing as part of the trade negotiations with the United States (US) over the 35% reciprocal tariffs set to be imposed by the Trump administration on Bangladeshi exports from August 1.
The Commerce Secretary also said that a Bangladesh delegation led by Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin will leave for the US on Monday evening.
India and Vietnam have each ordered 100 aircraft, while Indonesia ordered 50 as part of their negotiations with the US over the tariffs, Mahbubur said.
The secretary also said the Bangladesh delegation will meet the United States Trade Representative (USTR) in Washington, DC, on July 29 and 30.
"Another meeting may take place on July 31. The outcome of the meetings may be available by August 1."
Alongside the commerce adviser and the commerce secretary, National Security Adviser Khalilur Rahman and Commerce Ministry Additional Secretary Nazneen Kawshar Chowdhury will attend the talks.
"Following our request for time, meetings will be held directly at the USTR office," Mahbubur said.
The talks come at a critical time for Bangladesh's export-dependent economy.
Earlier on July 8, US President Donald Trump informed Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus that the 35% reciprocal tariff would take effect from 1 August.
The current rate was already reduced from a previously proposed 37% following two earlier rounds of negotiations, but Bangladeshi officials say progress has been limited so far.
Until recently, the US had not responded to repeated requests from Dhaka to hold a third and final round of in-person negotiations.
A virtual meeting had been scheduled for July 29, but the upcoming Washington visit appears to reflect a last-minute opportunity to find common ground before the deadline.
Mahbubur said Bangladesh had responded to every draft of the proposed Reciprocal Tariff Agreement.
"After inter-ministerial meetings and discussions with relevant parties, Bangladesh informed the US of its final position on the July 23," he said.
A position paper detailing potential offers to enhance American business interests has also been sent to the USTR.
On the Boeing deal, the secretary clarified that the aircraft purchase is a business agreement with the US-based company, not the government.
"Bangladesh has placed an order for 25 Boeings. India and Vietnam have ordered 100 each. Indonesia has ordered 50," he said.
"The company will deliver according to its capacity and business model. Bangladesh needs some Boeings very quickly, and perhaps some aircraft will be available within the next one or two years," he added.
He noted that Biman Bangladesh Airlines' fleet expansion was already part of the government's long-term plans.
"Previously, there was an order for 14 Boeings. For the reciprocal issue, it has been increased to 25."
Bangladesh has also signed an agreement to import wheat from the US, while private businesses are considering sourcing soybeans.
"When the government sits with the USTR, private sector businesses will also sit with US soybean oil stakeholders," Mahbubur said, adding that cotton imports from the US, which had previously declined, may also rise again.
He said increasing imports from the US would be beneficial for both sides. "We should move forward a bit. We have requested the private sector to buy from there to help with the tariff issue."
Although the agreement with the US includes investment issues, the commerce secretary noted that Washington's primary concern is its global trade deficit.
"The United States has a $1.3 trillion trade deficit with the entire world. Their objective is to reduce this trade deficit, which is why they have imposed reciprocal tariffs," he said.
He added that about nine million tonnes of wheat are imported by Bangladesh annually, and disruptions in the Red Sea supply routes have increased reliance on the US and Canada.
"Wheat is imported from Russia and Ukraine, but they do not buy from us. The US buys Tk8.5 billion worth of products from us. What they buy from us, therefore, we should also buy from them."
Mahbubur dismissed the suggestion that increased imports from the US would cause market disruption or political friction.
"Our flag carrier, our hangar, is Boeing-dependent. So we have to buy Boeings. At the same time, it is not that we will not buy Airbus or other aircraft. It has not been said that purchases will only be made from the US," he clarified.
"Various items are imported from the US because there are advantages. If there were disadvantages, businessmen would not bring them. The government is not pressuring anyone," the secretary said.
He added, "Due to US tariffs, China is facing the most pressure. Production might shift from there. We could also be a beneficiary of that. If Bangladesh imports advantageous goods from another country, there is no possibility of creating tension with China or other countries."
Mahbubur said Bangladesh expects equitable treatment.
"Bangladesh does not expect to receive fewer benefits than those received by Vietnam or India. We do not think the US will impose more pressure on us than on our competitors," he said.
