The interim government must involve the most qualified individuals in negotiation with the United States over the recently imposed 35% tariff on Bangladeshi products, BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir said on Thursday.
Speaking at a programme organised by The Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists (BFUJ) and the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) at the Jatiya Press Club, he said, "Our main export item is ready-made garments. If this sector is hit with such a high tariff, it could collapse entirely and may not recover. That would break the backbone of our economy."
He said the tariff issue was a serious concern for the country and its economy.
"I'm not sure how much attention the interim government has given to it. They should have focused more and engaged the most competent people to negotiate with the US."
Calling on the government to take immediate steps, he said the time to do so had still not run out.
The BNP leader also addressed the issue of border killings and push-in incidents, urging journalists and the media to take these matters more seriously.
Fakhrul also called upon the interim government to raise these issues strongly with India.
"These matters must be brought to a conclusive stage of negotiation through proper diplomatic discussions with India."
Highlighting the flooding in Feni, he said, "The water-sharing issue remains unsettled with India. Flooding has already begun in Feni, and more could follow as the monsoon continues. The interim government must act strongly to ensure a fair distribution of water."
US President Donald Trump on Monday imposed a 35 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi goods.
Trump made the much-anticipated announcement on his Truth Social account by publishing his letter dated July 7 to Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus at 2:36am (Tuesday, Bangladesh time).
Currently, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashiruddin is leading a Bangladesh delegation for the three-day tariff discussions with the US.
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