Chief Adviser of the interim government, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, has hailed a recent trade agreement with the United States as a significant diplomatic breakthrough, following Washington’s decision to reduce retaliatory tariffs on Bangladeshi imports to 20 percent — a rate 17 percentage points lower than previously anticipated.

In an official statement issued by the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing on Friday (August 1), Dr. Yunus emphasized that the deal strengthens Bangladesh’s access to one of the world’s largest consumer markets while safeguarding key national economic interests.

"We warmly congratulate our trade negotiation team for successfully concluding this historic agreement with the United States," said Dr. Yunus. "Setting the tariff at 20 percent — significantly lower than earlier projections — is a crucial diplomatic success."

He further highlighted that the outcome reflects both the strategic skill and steadfast commitment of Bangladesh’s negotiators. Since February, the team has worked tirelessly through complex discussions involving tariff structures, non-tariff barriers, and national security considerations.

"This deal ensures that Bangladesh’s competitive edge remains intact," he added. "It not only reflects our growing stature on the global stage but also opens the door to greater opportunities, faster growth, and long-term prosperity. Today’s achievement is a powerful signal of our national resilience and bold economic vision."

The U.S. announcement came via a White House document released on Thursday (July 31, local time), which confirmed a revision of the tariff policy. Previously, the U.S. administration had imposed a 35 percent retaliatory tariff on Bangladeshi goods. The new 20 percent rate marks a substantial reduction from that level.