Network for Peoples’ Action (NPA) has rejected what it described as an “unequal” trade agreement signed between Bangladesh and the US by the interim government just four days before the national election and demanded that the deal be placed before the next parliament for review and renegotiation.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the platform strongly criticised the agreement signed on 8 February, alleging that it imposes extensive obligations on Bangladesh while offering limited concessions in return.
According to the NPA, the deal, titled a reciprocal trade agreement, requires Bangladesh to make more than 100 commitments.
These include tariff reductions, restructuring of tariff administration, labour law reforms, recognition of US dominance in digital trade and mandatory purchases of various US goods worth more than $18.5 billion. In return, the United States has capped its maximum tariff rate at 19 percent, a level it had unilaterally imposed in April 2025.
The organisation questioned the authority of the interim government to sign a long-term agreement involving major national interests so close to the election and said the decision could create obstacles for the incoming elected government. It also warned that under the agreement, the US could immediately reinstate higher tariffs if Bangladesh withdraws from the deal.
NPA’s review of the agreement identified several provisions it termed unequal. It said Bangladesh would be required to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft for Biman Bangladesh Airlines, import US liquefied natural gas worth $15 billion over 15 years, buy 700,000 metric tonnes of US wheat annually and increase purchases of US military equipment.
The total mandatory procurement would exceed $18.5 billion, equivalent to around 4 percent of Bangladesh’s GDP.
The platform also alleged that the agreement obliges Bangladesh to enforce US sanctions, including those against Iran, Russia and Venezuela, as well as any future sanctions designated by Washington. It warned that such provisions could affect the country’s independent foreign policy.
Another clause, according to the NPA, would prevent Bangladesh from entering into any free trade or preferential economic agreement with China, effectively giving the United States veto power over the country’s trade diplomacy.
The organisation further said the agreement would bar Bangladesh from imposing digital service taxes on US technology companies such as Google, Facebook and Amazon, and would restrict data localisation requirements. It expressed concern that this could affect digital sovereignty and long-term cyber security.
The NPA also claimed that provisions related to the Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant would restrict future expansion, fuel supply or technical cooperation involving Russia or China, which could affect existing international arrangements and long-term energy planning.
Describing the agreement as one of the most concerning economic decisions since independence, the platform said any major foreign agreement should be subject to parliamentary scrutiny and public discussion to ensure transparency and public consent.
The NPA urged the next elected government to place the agreement before parliament immediately for review and renegotiation. It said the deal should not be retained in its current form if it contains unequal terms. If necessary, the country should prioritise long-term sovereignty over short-term tariff benefits, the statement added.
