
The Bangladesh government has opted to review its trade agreement with the United States rather than moving toward an immediate cancellation, Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Zahed Ur Rahman announced on Tuesday.
Speaking at a press conference at the Press Information Department (PID) in the Secretariat, the Adviser clarified that while the agreement includes a provision for termination with a 60-day notice, the government is currently focused on internal examination and potential renegotiation.
“From my position, I think we can at least first review the agreement at the government level,” Zahed stated, adding that he has already discussed the matter with the Prime Minister.
He noted that the two nations have the option to modify specific provisions through mutual discussion.
The Adviser acknowledged the public debate surrounding the deal, encouraging continued analysis from columnists and commentators regarding potentially problematic aspects.
He emphasized that the government understands the weight of the agreement and the specific context in which it was originally signed.
“We can consider revisiting certain problematic areas that we think may be harmful to the state. We would like to enter negotiations with them,” he explained.
He warned that a hasty cancellation could trigger diplomatic friction or lead to the imposition of reciprocal tariffs, complicating bilateral relations.
Addressing the legal nature of such international pacts, Zahed pointed out that some agreements carry strict legal bindings where "leaving them can be more harmful than staying."
He concluded by affirming that as a democratically elected body, the government must weigh multiple strategic factors before making a final decision on such high-stakes trade policies.




