U.S.-Bangladesh Trade Facts

In 2017, Bangladesh GDP was an estimated $261.4 billion (current market exchange rates); real GDP was up by an estimated 7.1%; and the population was 163 million. (Source: IMF)

Bangladesh is currently our 52nd largest goods trading partner with $7.2 billion in total (two way) goods trade during 2017. Goods exports totaled $1.5 billion; goods imports totaled $5.7 billion. The U.S. goods trade deficit with Bangladesh was $4.2 billion in 2017.

According to the Department of Commerce, U.S. exports of goods to Bangladesh supported an estimated 6 thousand jobs in 2015 (latest data available).

Exports

Bangladesh was the United States' 68th largest goods export market in 2017.

U.S. goods exports to Bangladesh in 2017 were $1.5 billion, up 62.7% ($568 million) from 2016 and up 223.2% from 2007.  

The top export categories (2-digit HS) in 2017 were: miscellaneous grain, seeds, fruit (soybeans) ($396 million), cotton ($288 million), iron and steel ($188 million), machinery ($127 million), and cereals (wheat) ($99 million).

U.S. total exports of agricultural products to Bangladesh totaled $884 million in 2017. Leading domestic export categories include: soybeans ($391 million), cotton ($284 million), wheat ($68 million), soybean meal ($43 million), and corn ($31 million).

Imports

Bangladesh was the United States' 43rd largest supplier of goods imports in 2017.

U.S. goods imports from Bangladesh totaled $5.7 billion in 2017, down 3.8% ($223 million) from 2016, but up 65.7% from 2007. 

The top import categories (2-digit HS) in 2017 were: woven apparel ($3.5 billion), knit apparel ($1.4 billion), miscellaneous textile articles ($222 million), headgear ($179 million), and footwear ($102 million).

U.S. total imports of agricultural products from Bangladesh totaled $20 million in 2017. Leading categories include: tobacco ($7 million), snack foods ($3 million), rice ($2 million), spices ($687 thousand), and tea, including herb ($517 thousand).

Trade Balance

The U.S. goods trade deficit with Bangladesh was $4.2 billion in 2017, a 15.8% decrease ($792 million) over 2016.