The Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) has formally requested the National Cotton Council of America (NCCA) to support Bangladesh in securing duty-free access to the U.S. market for readymade garments (RMG) produced using U.S. cotton. Additionally, the BTMA has called for the permanent removal of the 37% additional tariff currently imposed on exports to the U.S. A BTMA delegation is scheduled to visit the U.S. for high-level discussions on this matter.
This appeal follows Bangladesh’s recent lifting of the mandatory fumigation requirement for U.S. cotton, a move that aligns with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s standards. In return, Bangladesh is seeking preferential trade terms for garments made from U.S. cotton. The BTMA views this as a strategic opportunity to enhance bilateral trade relations and expand the market for U.S. cotton in Bangladesh.
The U.S. currently does not offer duty-free access for Bangladeshi RMG products, despite similar concessions extended to African countries under the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP). Bangladesh has been advocating for the reinstatement of GSP benefits, which expired in December 2020, to facilitate more equitable trade opportunities. The upcoming BTMA delegation’s visit to the U.S. is expected to be a pivotal step in advancing these discussions and potentially reshaping trade dynamics between the two nations.
