Bangladesh–US trade deal open to revision: Commerce Minister

Bangladesh’s commerce minister has said the recently signed trade agreement with the United States is not final and can be amended or expanded if necessary.

Speaking to reporters on 4 March after meeting US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Paul Kapur at the Commerce Ministry, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said the deal includes provisions that could help deepen commercial ties between the two countries in the future.

He noted that bilateral trade between Bangladesh and the United States currently stands at about $8.5 billion, with nearly $2.75 billion representing imports from the US. As a single country, the US remains one of Bangladesh’s largest trading partners, he said, adding that cooperation also covers potential future investments and digital infrastructure development.

Responding to criticism over the agreement signed on 9 February during the tenure of the interim government, the minister said trade deals are based on mutual interests. Some clauses may favor one side while others benefit the other, but the aim of negotiations is to achieve a win-win outcome, he said.

Muktadir added that the agreement should not be judged as entirely positive or negative at this stage. It is a government-level arrangement and reflects current realities, but no agreement is irreversible, he said, stressing that there is always scope for revisions through future discussions.

He also addressed a recent US court ruling concerning tariffs imposed by President Donald Trump under emergency powers, saying the situation remains fluid and that the government is closely monitoring developments.