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  1. Negotiations

Bangladesh


While Bangladesh may not appear to be a major player on the bilateral FTA front, it is currently under many pressures and involved in various discussions:

- The government was dealt harsh arrangements from the EU in the two parties’ trade and development cooperation agreement of 2001, through which Dhaka accepted WTO-plus demands [from the EU->405], for instance to allow corporate monopoly rights over seeds (patenting);
- The government was in controversial talks with the US over a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement, a preliminary to a possible FTA with Washington; but decided not to sign one in 2010 after several years of discussions. The US subsequently asked Bangladesh to sign a Trade and Economic Cooperation Forum deal, but this has not yet been signed;
- India has been pushing for a bilateral FTA with Bangladesh, but the World Bank has made clear that India would benefit more;
- Pakistan has been pushing for an FTA with Bangladesh as well;
- Bangladesh, for its part, is interested in developing an FTA with China.

Apart from all these, the government is either negotiating or considering negotiating FTAs with Iran, Turkey, Bhutan, Malaysia, Morocco and Sri Lanka.

On a regional level, Bangladesh is a member of SAARC, which has its own FTA, as well as BIMSTEC, which also aims to develop one.

last update: May 2012
Photo: Solidarity Center/CC BY-ND 2.0

See also
What the Bangladesh-Japan trade agreement means for our bio-cultural resources
7-May-2026     The Daily Star
The signing of the Bangladesh-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) at the end of the interim government’s tenure has sparked much debate, with concerns that this agreement could put the country’s sovereignty, agriculture and food systems, traditional knowledge, economy, and intellectual property rights at risk.
Left-wing groups rally against US trade deal, demand its cancellation
7-May-2026     Dhaka Tribune
Left-wing organizations have denounced the recently signed trade agreement with the United States as "unequal and anti-national," demanding it be scrapped immediately.
US-Bangladesh trade deal: Writ filed challenging legality
5-May-2026     Prothomalo.com
A writ petition was filed with the High Court challenging the legality of the reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the US, describing it as unreasonable, structurally imbalanced and contrary to the national interests of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh–US trade deal and the test of strategic autonomy
4-May-2026     The Daily Star
The Bangladesh–US reciprocal trade agreement is shifting from a traditional tariff-focused model to one centered on regulatory convergence and strategic economic alignment, reflecting broader U.S. Indo-Pacific economic goals. The deal raises concerns over national policy autonomy and implicit geopolitical obligations.
Is Bangladesh-US trade deal a backdoor for GMO dumping?
29-Apr-2026     The Daily Star
The Bangladesh’s Reciprocal Trade Agreement with the United States, effectively opens Bangladesh to unregulated imports of genetically modified (GM) meat and dairy products from highly subsidised US agribusinesses, posing a severe threat to local livestock keepers—mostly rural women—who operate without state support.
Bangladesh, EU eyeing FTA after partnership deal
21-Apr-2026     The Daily Star
Bangladesh and the European Union are eyeing a Free Trade Agreement and an Investment Protection Agreement after the two sides initialled the Partnership Cooperation Agreement in Brussels yesterday.
Left-wing groups rally against US trade deal, demand its cancellation
20-Apr-2026     Dhaka Tribune
Left-wing organizations in Bangladesh, have strongly condemned the recently signed trade agreement with the United States, labeling it as "unequal," "anti-national," and a "treaty of servitude."
Cancellation of trade deal with US govt demanded
7-Apr-2026     New Age
The Ganatantrik Jukta Front, a combine of seven political parties, at a protest rally in Dhaka called on the government to take immediate steps to scrap the trade deal signed with United States during the interim government.
US trade deal limiting Bangladesh’s energy options: says Debapriya
1-Apr-2026     The Daily Star
The reciprocal trade agreement signed with the US may severely limit Bangladesh’s energy options, Debapriya Bhattacharya, convener of Citizen’s Platform for SDGs, Bangladesh, said.
Bangladesh seeks to build on existing ties, eyes trade deal
30-Mar-2026     Bangkok Post
The new government in Bangladesh is seeking to deepen its engagement with Thailand and Asean, which may include the signing of a free trade agreement and the establishment of direct maritime connectivity.