A government delegation would visit the United States next week for taking part in the third round of talks over tariff imbalance, as the negotiations so far have been “optimistic”, said Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin on Monday.

The adviser made the remark at a press briefing at the Secretariat, after wrapping up talks with business leaders on the outcome of ongoing negotiations with the US side. The negotiations are aimed at reducing President Donald Trump’s recently announced 35% “reciprocal tariff”.

After the meeting with the adviser, Hatem Ali, the president of Bangladesh Knitwear Producers and Exporters Association, said the business community is “optimistic” the earnest efforts of the government would yield good results.

US President Trump alleges Bangladesh has been exploiting the lucrative American market, while imposing high tariffs on US imports.

On Monday, Adviser Bashir Uddin said the government is doing everything possible to reduce all forms of trade deficit between the two economies.