Anti-Imperialist Alliance demands cancellation of US trade deal

The Anti-Imperialist and Anti-War Alliance has demanded the cancellation of the “Agreement on Reciprocal Trade (ART)” signed with the United States, describing it as contrary to Bangladesh’s national interests. 

Leaders of the alliance made the demand at a rally held in front of the Jatiya Press Club in Dhaka on Sunday afternoon.  

They also warned of launching a strong anti-government movement if the agreement is not scrapped.

Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal (Basad) General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz presided over the programme. Alliance leaders Shubhrangshu Chakrabarty, Masud Rana, Nasiruddin Ahmed Nasu, and Mushtuq Husain also addressed the event. 

Speakers at the rally alleged that the “unelected” interim government signed the ART agreement with the United States on 9 February, just three days before the national parliamentary election.

They claimed that the 15-year agreement was signed without informing the public and would pose a threat to the country’s economy, agriculture, energy security, and sovereignty.

The leaders further said that only 32 pages of the 177-page agreement have been made public, while the remaining part of the deal remains undisclosed. 

Referring to the published portions, they alleged that Bangladesh would be required to import liquefied natural gas (LNG), wheat, soybeans, and other agricultural products from the United States at prices higher than international market rates, resulting in a huge outflow of foreign currency.

According to the speakers, the decision to purchase 14 aircraft from the US company Boeing without an open tender violates public procurement rules. 

They also alleged that the agreement would grant tariff benefits to a large number of US products in Bangladesh, while Bangladesh’s own export benefits would remain comparatively limited.

At the rally, speakers said that unrestricted imports of agricultural products, including fish, meat, milk and poultry, could seriously harm the country’s agriculture, fisheries, and dairy sectors. They also warned that the ready-made garment industry could face negative impacts.

The alliance leaders alleged that the agreement could restrict Bangladesh from independently signing trade agreements with countries such as China and Russia in the future, thereby undermining the country’s strategic independence.

They also criticised the role of former security adviser and current Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman. 

According to the speakers, Khalilur had claimed that the agreement was signed after discussions with top leaders of BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami. However, Jamaat has publicly denied the claim.

The speakers further said that a recent ruling by the US Supreme Court declaring the Trump administration’s tariff measures illegal had already raised questions over the basis of the ART agreement. 

Referring to Malaysia, speakers said the country had already cancelled a similar agreement and argued that Bangladesh could do the same.

A protest procession was brought out around the Jatiya Press Club area after the rally.