Key facts
- Bangladesh's ready-made garment exports to the U.S. fell 7.55% year-on-year from February to July.
- The country has committed billions to U.S. purchases including Boeing aircraft, LNG, and grains.
- A decade-long LNG deal with Gunvor USA LLC was cleared on August 12, securing 117 cargoes through 2038.
- U.S. apparel imports from Bangladesh declined 8.53% year-on-year in January-February 2026.
- The trade pact's legal basis has been weakened by U.S. court rulings striking down tariff threats.
- Bangladesh signed the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART) on February 9, before a general election.
Bangladesh has ramped up purchases of U.S. goods following a trade agreement signed in February, committing billions of dollars for Boeing aircraft, liquefied natural gas, and grains. However, the country's exports to the U.S. have not seen a substantial boost, with ready-made garment exports falling 7.55% year-on-year from February to July.
US courts have twice struck down the legal basis for Washington's global tariff threats, including those against Bangladesh, yet Dhaka's purchasing spree continues. On August 12, a cabinet committee approved a decade-long LNG deal with Gunvor USA LLC for approximately 7.5 million tonnes of LNG through 2038, part of a $15 billion commitment to US energy purchases over 15 years. Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir defended the deal, citing economic merit and prudent hedging against potential supply disruptions from Qatar.
Wheat imports are also underway, with 660,000 tonnes of a promised 3.5 million-tonne, five-year commitment already secured. Muktadir argued that US wheat is more cost-effective due to lower waste percentages. In April, Biman Bangladesh Airlines opted for a $3.7 billion deal for 14 Boeing aircraft over European manufacturer Airbus.
The Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART), signed on February 9, has not formally entered into force as domestic notification procedures are incomplete. Nevertheless, Bangladesh continues to execute multi-billion-dollar commercial commitments.
Meanwhile, US apparel imports from Bangladesh declined 8.53% year-on-year in January-February 2026, according to Bangladesh Apparel Exchange. Exporters attribute this decline to tariffs imposed by the Trump administration, which they argue have reduced consumer demand. While exports from China and India also fell sharply, competitors like Vietnam and Indonesia saw increases in the US market. Experts suggest Bangladesh missed an opportunity to capitalize on the drop in imports from China due to shortcomings in logistics.