According to local media, exporters and political experts in Dhaka are uneasy about a US-Bangladesh trade pact that is allegedly scheduled to be completed on February 9, only three days before Bangladesh’s national election. Why the deal is being hurried through by the Muhammad Yunus government in its last days in power and why its contents are still unclear are being questioned.
According to reports, Dhaka is rushing to finish the deal after the India-US trade accord reduced tariffs on Indian imports to 18%, raising concerns that Bangladesh would lose market share to New Delhi.
The Yunus government allegedly signed a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the United States in 2025 to shield the draft pact from public scrutiny, according to Bangladeshi publication Prothom Alo. The timing has increased speculation.
US President Donald Trump’s administration has already placed pressure on Bangladesh’s textile and ready-made clothing industry, which accounts for more than 90% of the nation’s exports. In April 2025, Washington imposed a hefty 37% tax on Dhaka; this was subsequently bargained down to 35% in July and finally to 20% in August.
Why exporters are alarmed about the US-Bangladesh trade agreement
Due to the journal, the agreement has a number of “conditions,” such as clauses mandating a decrease in imports from China and an increase in military supplies from the US instead of China. Additionally, it reportedly advocates for Bangladesh to accept US standards and certificates without scrutiny and for US products to enter the country freely.
Industry players and exporter groups are concerned that rather than helping Bangladeshi exports, the proposed deal’s features would make them worse.
In a Facebook post, Bangladeshi economist and scholar Anu Muhammad questioned whose interests the February 9 trade agreement between the US and Bangladesh was serving. The “completely non-transparent, illogical, and irregular manner” in which agreements were being pushed was his allegation.
Under the pretense of advisers and special assistants, Yunus has in fact appointed a number of foreign corporations and foreign state lobbyists to positions in this administration. On Facebook, he asserted, “These foreign lobbyists who were appointed as chief advisers are scurrying around to close these deals from within the government.”
This month, Bangladesh will conduct its first general elections since the overthrow of the Sheikh Hasina-led government in August 2024. The referendum on February 12 is viewed as a significant test of the South Asian country’s democracy.
US–Bangladesh Trade Deal: Key Concerns & Developments
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Proposed Deal Date | February 9, 2026 (just 3 days before national elections) |
| Bangladesh Election Date | February 12, 2026 |
| Current Government | Muhammad Yunus-led interim government |
| Reason for Urgency | India–US trade deal reduced tariffs on Indian goods to 18%, raising fears of Bangladesh losing export market share |
| Transparency Issues | Deal reportedly protected under a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) signed in 2025 |
| Public Disclosure | Draft terms not made public; limited parliamentary or public debate |
| Key Export Sector at Risk | Textiles & ready-made garments (over 90% of Bangladesh’s exports) |
| US Tariffs on Bangladesh | 37% (April 2025) → 35% (July) → 20% (August) |
| Reported Deal Conditions | Reduce imports from China, increase US military procurement, accept US standards without scrutiny |
| Market Access Clause | Allows US goods freer entry into Bangladesh markets |
| Exporter Concerns | Fear of higher costs, loss of competitiveness, weaker export protection |
| Economist Reaction | Anu Muhammad calls deal “non-transparent, illogical, and irregular” |
| Political Allegations | Claims of foreign corporate lobbyists influencing policy decisions |
| Broader Impact | Seen as potentially undermining domestic industry and economic sovereignty |
| Geopolitical Context | Increased US pressure amid India’s tariff advantage |
| Democratic Significance | First election since Sheikh Hasina government’s removal in August 2024 |
