Commerce Minister urges calm over Bangladesh–US trade agreement

Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has urged the public not to panic over the trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States.

He made the remarks on Tuesday (May 5) after a meeting with a US delegation at the Secretariat.

The minister said the existing agreement cannot be canceled arbitrarily, as it is an inherited framework. He emphasized that protecting Bangladesh’s national interest remains the government’s top priority.

“If any clause is found to be against our interests, the agreement allows room for review and revision,” he said, urging people to avoid unnecessary concern.

Earlier, on February 9, Bangladesh and the United States signed a reciprocal tariff agreement aimed at reducing the impact of additional tariffs imposed by former US President Donald Trump.

The agreement was signed on behalf of Bangladesh by former Trade Advisor Sheikh Bashir Uddin and former National Security Advisor Khalilur Rahman.

The signing ceremony was attended by US Trade Representative Ambassador Jameson Greer, along with former Bangladesh Commerce Secretary Mahbubur Rahman and US Assistant Trade Representative Brendan Lynch.