Dr. Trump’s letter to Yunus, Trump imposes 35 percent tariff on Bangladeshi products
US President Donald Trump has decided to impose a 35 percent tariff on Bangladeshi products entering the United States. This will be effective from August 1. The US President has also sent a letter to Chief Advisor Dr. Muhammad Yunus in this regard. He made this announcement on his social media Truth Social on Monday (July 7). In addition to Bangladesh, a new tariff rate has been announced on a total of 14 countries, including South Korea and Japan. Trump made this announcement as the White House’s 90-day tariff break period is about to end. Earlier, the tariff was supposed to take effect from July 9, but it has been postponed to August 1. The Trump administration has imposed a new 25 percent tariff rate on products imported from South Korea and Japan. In addition, tariffs of 40 percent have been imposed on goods from Myanmar and Laos, 30 percent on South Africa and 25 percent on Malaysia, 25 percent on Tunisia, 32 percent on Indonesia, 30 percent on Bosnia, 35 percent on Serbia, 36 percent on Cambodia and Thailand, and 25 percent on Kazakhstan. In the letter to Dr. Yunus, Trump wrote, “Starting August 1, 2025, we will impose a 35 percent tariff on any and all Bangladeshi goods shipped to the United States. Products shipped to avoid the higher tariff will be subject to that higher tariff. Please understand that the 35 percent tariff is much less than what is needed to close our trade deficit with your country. As you know, if companies from Bangladesh or your country decide to manufacture or produce products within the United States, there will be no tariff.” Threatening to further increase tariffs if Bangladesh retaliates against these tariffs, Trump wrote, “If for any reason you decide to increase tariffs on US goods, the number you wish to increase will be added to the 35 percent tariff we have already set. Please understand that these tariffs are necessary to correct Bangladesh’s many years of tariff, and non-tariff, policy and trade barriers. Which have led to this unsustainable trade deficit with the United States. This deficit is a major threat to our economy and indeed our national security. Trump also wrote, “These tariffs can be increased or decreased depending on our relationship with your country. You will never be disappointed with the United States. Thank you for your attention on this matter. Earlier, last April, Trump imposed a 37 percent tariff on Bangladeshi goods. Which took effect from April 9. However, due to the turbulent situation in the global economy, he suspended these tariffs for 3 months, which will end on July 9. Before that, he imposed a new 35 percent tariff on Bangladeshi products.
