A tariff edge alone will not secure growth
TexPro import data illustrates the scale of the opportunity. The United States imported $*.** billion of Bangladeshi knit and woven outerwear (HS Chapters ** and **) during the twelve months ending May ****. Woven garments accounted for roughly two-thirds ($*.** billion), with knitwear making up the remainder. At the headline ** per cent tariff, annual duty exposure approaches $*** million the amount the proposed TRQ could eventually reduce.
However, demand had already weakened before the tariff took effect. TexPro data shows US imports of these product categories from Bangladesh declined *.* per cent year on year during the first five months of ****, representing a $*** million reduction. Export orders were slowing before the Section *** measures came into force.
The White House memorandum also makes clear that the TRQ remains a proposal rather than an active trade mechanism. The US Trade Representative (USTR) must first determine that implementation is “feasible,” with a decision targeted for September *, ****. Until then, all eligible products remain subject to the full ** per cent tariff. The opportunity exists, but the duty relief has yet to materialise.
