The reciprocal trade agreement signed with the United States is “extremely unequal” and should be revisited, and if necessary withdrawn, Centre for Policy Dialogue Research (CPD) Director Khondaker Golam Moazzem said.
“In our view, this is an extremely unequal agreement,” he said, questioning how an unelected government entered such a commitment.
“How an unelected government can enter into such an agreement is a big question,” he added.
He said the public was initially led to believe the discussions were limited to tariffs, but a full reading showed a far wider scope.
“At first, the understanding given publicly was that it was only about tariffs; but after seeing the full agreement, we were surprised,” he said.
“It is not only about tariffs — it includes standards, licensing, intellectual property and digital trade, along with various structural commitments,” he said.
Khondaker Golam Moazzem said several provisions could restrict Bangladesh’s policy space and complicate its LDC graduation strategy, export diversification and future industrial policy planning.
Clauses on import licensing and technical standards could create advantages for US firms, he said.
He also warned that despite references to reciprocity in the tariff structure, the risk of additional tariffs on Bangladeshi products remains.
Commitments on digital trade and intellectual property could further narrow future policy flexibility, he said.
“The agreement imposes additional obligations on Bangladesh, but there is no equivalent level of commitment on the part of the United States,” said Khondaker Golam Moazzem.
“In this context, we believe the government should withdraw from the agreement,” he said.
However, he noted that the agreement contains a provision allowing exit through notice.
“If all notifications are not completed, the agreement does not come into force — that can be the basis for discussion,” he said.
Khondaker Golam Moazzem said the matter should be revisited through amicable bilateral renegotiation.
Any international commitment, he said, should be implemented only after ensuring alignment with national economic interests, industrial policy, LDC graduation strategy and long-term trade objectives.
