Dhaka: The government will review the trade agreement signed with the United States instead of moving immediately towards cancellation, said Prime Minister's Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday. The matter will be examined and investigated, he stated at a press conference on the progress of government activities at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at the Secretariat.
According to United News of Bangladesh, Zahed highlighted that the agreement contains an option for cancellation with a 60-day notice and provisions for modifying its terms through bilateral discussions. He suggested that a government-level review should be the first step before making any decision on the agreement.
Zahed pointed out the ongoing public discussions regarding the agreement, including newspaper columns and video commentaries that emphasize potential issues. He stated that he has already discussed the matter with the Prime Minister and emphasized the importance of understanding the agreement's impact if canceled, as well as the context in which it was signed.
He mentioned the possibility of revisiting certain areas of the agreement perceived as potentially harmful to the state and expressed willingness to enter negotiations to address these concerns. Zahed warned that outright cancellation could lead to complications in bilateral relations or reciprocal tariffs.
In response to a question, Zahed explained that agreements vary, including contracts and memorandums of understanding (MoUs), with some being legally binding. He noted that the legal bindings in certain agreements could make withdrawal more detrimental than remaining a party. He added that decisions of this nature are made by a democratically elected government after considering multiple factors.