New Delhi: The full text of the newly signed reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States shows that Dhaka has undertaken detailed commercial, security and regulatory commitments, including plans to facilitate the purchase of 14 Boeing aircraft, long-term US energy supplies and expanded defence cooperation.
The document states that Bangladesh shall endeavor to facilitate increased purchases by its national flag carrier, Biman Bangladesh Airlines, of US civilian aircraft, parts and services. It records that Biman intends to purchase 14 aircraft from Boeing, along with an option for additional aircraft. The wording reflects an intention to proceed with the transaction and an obligation on the government to facilitate it, rather than a direct mandatory procurement clause.
The agreement also provides that Bangladesh shall endeavor to purchase, or facilitate purchases by domestic companies, of US energy, including long-term offtake agreements for liquefied natural gas estimated at $15 billion over 15 years. In agriculture, it specifies efforts to secure at least 700,000 metric tons of US wheat annually for five years, soy and soy products valued at at least $1.25 billion or 2.6 million metric tons over one year, whichever is lower, and cotton with an estimated total value of $3.5 billion.
On defence trade, the text states that Bangladesh shall endeavor to increase purchases of US military equipment and limit military equipment purchases from certain countries. It does not list specific weapons systems or financial figures, but establishes a policy direction to deepen defence procurement ties with Washington.
The pact contains wider economic and national security provisions. Bangladesh is required, after consultations, to adopt or maintain complementary restrictive measures if the United States introduces border or trade actions it considers necessary to protect its economic or national security. It must cooperate on export controls, including aligning its regime with US controls on sensitive technologies and preventing companies from undermining such measures.
A separate clause bars Bangladesh from purchasing nuclear reactors, fuel rods or enriched uranium from any country that jeopardizes essential US interests, except where no alternative suppliers exist or where contracts were concluded before the agreement enters into force.
In digital trade, Bangladesh is prohibited from imposing discriminatory digital services taxes and must facilitate cross-border data transfers for business purposes. The agreement also prevents the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions. If Bangladesh enters into a new digital trade agreement with a country deemed to jeopardize essential US interests, the United States may terminate the pact and reimpose reciprocal tariffs after consultations fail.
The enforcement provision allows Washington, if consultations do not resolve concerns over non-compliance, to reimpose the reciprocal tariff rate on certain or all imports from Bangladesh.
The agreement states that its annexes form an integral part of the legal text. While several procurement commitments are framed as best-efforts obligations through the phrase “shall endeavor,” the inclusion of quantified figures for aircraft, energy and agricultural imports formally embeds these commercial undertakings within the treaty structure.
