Bangladesh has not entered into any agreement that compromises national interest or involves military cooperation with the United States, said Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser, responding to questions over the recently announced 20% tariff on Bangladeshi goods by the US.
“This is a success for the government,” he stated on Friday during an informal briefing at his residence on Bailey Road in Dhaka, where he addressed the public reaction to Washington’s revised tariff policy.
Alam clarified that despite the new tariff structure, no hidden conditions were imposed by the US government. “There are no additional clauses tied to the 20 percent tariff. Wherever possible, we will simplify matters to support trade,” he assured.
Amid growing public concern over the secrecy surrounding bilateral agreements, Alam admitted that many of the agreements with the US are non-disclosable. “Some of the agreements are indeed non-disposal in nature. While we are aware of certain aspects, they cannot be disclosed at this moment,” he said. “However, let me reiterate—no agreement was signed at the cost of Bangladesh’s sovereignty, and there has been no military pact.”
Regarding the implications of the tariff adjustment, Alam argued that Bangladesh remains competitive. “We are not falling behind other nations, as the new tariff rates are close to those of our competitors. This also helps reduce trade risks.”
He further stated that several initiatives are underway to narrow Bangladesh’s trade deficit with the United States. “Efforts have already been made to reduce the trade imbalance, and we will continue working to bring it down even further.”
The government’s remarks come amid heightened scrutiny from civil society and opposition groups questioning the lack of transparency in recent foreign policy decisions.
