(BSS) - BNP standing committee member Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury today said that BNP would work on the newly imposed additional tariffs on Bangladeshi products by the US.

“The employment of many people is associated with exports to the US market. We will extend support to the government to deal with this new tariff issue,” he told a meeting with business leaders at a Banani hotel in the capital.

Khasru said not only the US`s export of 8 billion, but the employment of 1.5-1.6 million people is also associated with it as well as many other economic issues are also involved.

“If we cannot resolve it properly, then our economy, employment and industries may face losses. Therefore, we held a meeting with the exporters today and heard their opinions,” he said.

Mentioning that security issues are also associated with the US tariffs, he said, “We have to resolve it in a united manner in the interest of the country by maintaining relations with all countries...No one has the power to do anything alone, we have to make a concerted effort to achieve this.”

Khasru said it will be difficult for Bangladesh to export its products to the United States with a 35 percent tariff.

“If our tariff is higher than that of India and Vietnam, it will have a big impact on us. Everyone has to unite to solve this problem,” he said.

BNP will also urge the government to take initiatives to this end; he said adding business leaders have said that negotiations should be strengthened as they think the negotiation period is not over yet.

BNP`s acting chairman`s adviser Mahadi Amin and organizing secretary Shama Obaid were present at the meeting, among others.