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Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir has said Bangladesh will carefully weigh the potential benefits and drawbacks before deciding whether to pursue a trade agreement with the United States.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday after a meeting with business leaders, he said it was “too early to comment” on the specifics of the proposed deal.
“We are currently examining the pros and cons. We will determine our course of action after that,” he said.
When asked whether the interim government had rushed the deal or kept details hidden, he explained that there were some “non-disclosure agreements in place during the negotiation phase”.
“This is a sensitive issue. Given the evolving situation, it would be inappropriate to make any remarks [now]."
The meeting was convened to discuss the implications of recent legal and political shifts in the US, according to a media statement from the commerce ministry.
The US Supreme Court recently ruled that reciprocal tariffs previously imposed by President Donald Trump were “unlawful”.
In response, Trump has ordered the imposition of new global tariffs.
The meeting -- attended by State Minister Md Shariful Alam, Secretary Mahbubur Rahman, and senior business leaders -- focused on how Bangladesh should navigate these new tariffs and the existing trade pact.
"The highest court in the US has struck down the previous tariffs," Muktadir said. "Following this, they announced a 10 per cent tariff for all countries, later increased to 15 per cent.
“We have only heard these announcements through different channels and have yet to receive any formal written communication at a government level."
Referring to the US Trade Act of 1974, he added: "Under Section 122 of the law, any such measures must receive congressional approval within 150 days.
“As no official documentation has arrived yet, this remains an ongoing process."