Yunus Faces Backlash Over US-Bangladesh Trade Deal's 'Conditional Trap'

• Bangladesh interim leader Muhammad Yunus faces severe backlash from the textiles sector over a trade agreement with the United States.
• Export-import bodies slam the deal as a "conditional trap" and a "domestic liability" due to a controversial "cotton clause."
• The "cotton clause" mandates the use of American cotton and man-made fibre, effectively locking Bangladesh's supply chain into the US agricultural ecosystem.
• Critics argue the deal prioritizes US interests and international validation for Yunus over Bangladesh's economic autonomy and competitive advantage.
• The agreement fails to address high import duties, leaving Bangladeshi manufacturers at a disadvantage compared to global competitors.