Dhaka: Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman on Tuesday defended Bangladesh’s position in its reciprocal trade agreement with the US, urging critics to view the deal in a global context and compare it with similar agreements signed by other countries. He made the remarks after a meeting with a delegation led by Assistant US Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch in the capital.
According to United News of Bangladesh, the foreign minister responded to a question on the conditions of the deal by emphasizing the importance of open discussion on such agreements. He stated, “It is very good that there is discussion on this and any agreement should be open to debate.” The minister further noted that Bangladesh is not alone in signing such agreements, as other countries around the world have done the same. He cited examples of countries like Indonesia agreeing to even higher numbers of similar provisions.
The minister encouraged critics to read Bangladesh’s agreement alongside those of Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, and others to better understand the context. In response to a question regarding the long-pending Teesta water-sharing agreement, stalled since 2011 due to objections from West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the minister stated that Bangladesh does not want to remain idle while waiting for India’s initiative. He stressed the importance of continuing the country’s own work rather than waiting for external developments.
Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir also addressed concerns about the Bangladesh-US trade agreement, emphasizing its potential for mutual benefit. After a meeting with US Assistant Trade Representative for South and Central Asia Brendan Lynch, he spoke to reporters in the conference room of his ministry. Muktadir noted that international agreements are always built on mutual cooperation and are designed to create a win-win situation for both parties.
He clarified that the current government did not initiate the agreement but inherited it as part of state continuity. The minister highlighted that state-level agreements are not like personal contracts that can be canceled at will, and expressed the government’s intent to utilize the agreement to expand trade and investment in the country. On the possibility of canceling the agreement with the US, Muktadir assured that the government, as the elected representative of the people, always prioritizes national interest. He mentioned that if any clause in the agreement goes against Bangladesh’s interests, there is scope for amendment within the agreement itself, as it has a self-correcting mechanism.