Secret Bangladesh-US Trade Deal Sparks Concern Ahead of Polls

• Bangladesh and the US are set to sign a 'secret' trade deal on reciprocal tariffs on February 9, just days before Bangladesh's February 12 polls.
• The deal, shrouded in secrecy, will be signed in Washington by USTR Jamieson Greer, with Bangladesh's Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin having already signed it in Dhaka.
• Concerns arise due to a Non-Disclosure Agreement, keeping terms secret from the public, Parliament, and industry stakeholders, despite the interim Yunus government lacking a public mandate.
• The US reportedly seeks reduced Chinese imports, increased US military imports, free market access, and no inspections for US vehicles in Bangladesh.
• Bangladesh aims to secure a better tariff rate than India to protect its vital ready-made garment sector, which accounts for 80% of exports and millions of jobs.