PM’s adviser signals possible revision of trade pact with US

Prime Minister’s Information and Broadcasting Adviser Dr Zahed Ur Rahman on Tuesday said the government is considering a review of the existing trade agreement with the United States rather than moving directly towards cancellation.

Speaking at a press briefing at the Press Information Department (PID) conference room at the Secretariat, Dr Zahed said the agreement contains provisions allowing both cancellation and modification through bilateral discussions.

“If we examine the agreement carefully, there is a clause allowing cancellation with a 60-day notice. At the same time, there is also scope for revising different provisions through mutual negotiations,” he said.

According to the adviser, the government believes reviewing the agreement internally should be the first step before taking any major decision.

Dr Zahed said the issue has already been discussed with the Prime Minister and is currently under evaluation within the government.

“We understand the implications of cancelling such an agreement, as well as the circumstances under which it was originally signed,” he said. “Instead of abrupt cancellation, we may revisit areas we consider problematic or potentially harmful to the country and seek negotiations with the US side.”

He warned that scrapping the agreement outright could complicate bilateral relations and may also lead to issues such as reciprocal tariffs.

The adviser also encouraged continued public debate over the agreement, referring to newspaper columns and online video analyses discussing concerns surrounding certain provisions.

Responding to questions from journalists, Zahed explained that international arrangements vary in nature, including contracts, treaties, and memorandums of understanding (MoUs).

“Some agreements are legally binding, and in many cases the obligations are so strong that withdrawing from them may cause greater damage than remaining within them,” he observed.

He further said that governments elected through democratic processes must consider multiple political, economic and diplomatic dimensions before making decisions on sensitive international agreements.

The remarks come amid growing public discussions over Bangladesh’s trade relations and the broader impact of international economic agreements on national interests.