A rights platform in Bangladesh has called on the government to immediately scrap a trade agreement signed with the United States, terming it “unequal” and harmful to the country’s economic interests. Leaders of the Democratic Rights Committee made the demand at a rally held in front of the Bangladesh National Museum in Dhaka yesterday. The rally was chaired by economist Anu Muhammad, who urged the Bangladesh Nationalist Party-led government to review and annul the agreement through parliamentary discussion.

 

Describing the deal as skewed in favour of the US, Anu Muhammad said it could undermine Bangladesh’s economic sovereignty and called for a united movement by democratic and progressive forces to oppose it. Other speakers warned of sector-specific impacts. Politician Harun Ur Rashid cautioned that the country’s pharmaceutical industry could face significant pressure, alleging that US companies might dominate the medicine market and drive up prices.

 

Academic Maha Mirza raised concerns over potential damage to the dairy and poultry sectors, arguing that the agreement could force increased imports of US products, affecting local producers. She also pointed to provisions requiring long-term imports of liquefied natural gas from the US. The government has yet to respond publicly to the demands, but the issue is expected to fuel debate over trade policy and economic sovereignty in the coming days.