With only a few days left before the general elections in Bangladesh, attention has shifted towards a major trade agreement with the United States. Reports suggest that both countries are likely to sign the pact on February 9, just three days before the country votes. Bangladesh’s commerce secretary Mahbubur Rahman has reportedly confirmed the signing date.

However, the development has sparked debate due to the secrecy surrounding the agreement. According to leading Bangladeshi daily Prothom Alo, the details of the deal have not been made public. The report says Bangladesh has signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the US, which keeps the terms of the pact confidential.

Questions over timing and interim government

The timing of the deal has raised further concerns. The agreement is being finalised while Bangladesh is under an interim government and fresh elections are scheduled for February 12. The current administration, led by Muhammad Yunus, will end its tenure just days after the pact is signed. This means the next government will be responsible for implementing the agreement.

The timing also stands out because it comes just a week after India and the US signed a separate trade pact. Under that deal, tariffs on Indian imports were reduced to 18%.

Dhaka pushes for more tariff relief

At present, Bangladeshi exports to the US face tariffs of about 20%. These were reduced from the earlier 37% duties announced by President Donald Trump in April 2025. The rates were later revised under another tariff decision in August.

Now, the Yunus-led administration is reportedly trying to bring the duties down further to 15%. But the lack of clarity around the agreement has made traders uneasy.

Bangladesh’s garment industry, which is the backbone of its economy, could be heavily affected. In 2023, exports from this sector were valued at about USD 38 billion. Many industry leaders believe the deal should have been signed after the elections.

"I was surprised to see the signing of the agreement come just three days before the election. I still believe this should have been done after the election, because it carries major implications,” Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) senior vice president Inamul Haque Khan was quoted as saying by Prothom Alo.

Local traders also share similar concerns. They feel the agreement should have been finalised after the polls so that there would be more clarity on its impact on different sectors.

Secrecy and reported US expectations

Reports say the NDA that keeps tariff talks and trade details confidential was signed in June 2025. Months after that, the US reduced import tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 20%.

There is also a noticeable trade gap between the two countries. Bangladesh imports goods worth around $2 billion from the US, while it exports products worth about $6 billion to the American market, according to Prothom Alo.

The US is reportedly looking to reduce this gap by increasing its exports to Bangladesh. Washington is said to be pushing for higher sales of wheat, soybean oil, corn, and cotton. It also wants Bangladesh to buy more American military equipment and reduce its dependence on China, the report added.

In addition, the US is seeking easier entry for its automobiles into the Bangladeshi market without extra inspections.

Elections after major political change

The February 12 elections will be the first since former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was removed from power following a large student-led protest in August 2024. Since then, she has been living in exile in India. The upcoming vote will decide the next government, which will eventually handle the implementation of the proposed trade agreement.