Bangladesh Trade Advisor confirms trade deal terms with the U.S. will be disclosed post-agreement. Talks focus on agriculture and trade balance—not Boeing planes. National interest remains top priority.
Confidentiality Clause Aligns with Global Norms
In a conversation with Golam Murtaza, Press Minister at the Embassy of Bangladesh in Washington, D.C., Bashir Uddin emphasized that maintaining confidentiality is standard international practice.
“Whether it’s between nations, corporations, or individuals, confidentiality clauses are normal. The U.S. has specifically cited national security as a reason for confidentiality,” he said.
Golam Murtaza later published a video of the discussion on his verified social media page
National Interest Will Not Be Compromised
Bashir Uddin assured that Bangladesh will not sign any deal that threatens its sovereignty or economic stability.
“We will reject any deal that harms our national interests. If a deal weakens our trade capabilities or macroeconomic indicators, it’s not acceptable,” he stated.
Leaked Draft Had No Harmful Clauses
“We successfully removed any potentially harmful clauses. Bangladesh stood firm during negotiations,” he confirmed.
He acknowledged that an early draft of the trade deal was unfortunately leaked but stressed that there was no content that opposed the country’s interest.
Boeing Aircraft Not a Part of Trade Talks
When asked about reports of Bangladesh purchasing 25 Boeing aircraft, the trade advisor clarified:
“The U.S. did not raise the Boeing issue during trade talks. It’s a one-sided matter. Boeing only produced 12 planes last year, so delivery may not begin before 2037.”
He added that simply buying aircraft without improving operational efficiency would not benefit Bangladesh.
Focus on Agriculture and Reducing Trade Deficit
The U.S. showed strong interest in agricultural exports, not aviation, during the negotiations.
“Bangladesh imports $15–20 billion in food products annually. The U.S. is a leading producer of cotton, soybeans, maize, and wheat—products Bangladesh already needs.”
“We are aiming to reduce the $6 billion trade deficit by increasing imports of essential goods that support our economy,” Bashir Uddin said.
Operational Readiness is Key for Aviation Sector
Despite public interest in the Boeing deal, the trade advisor emphasized that increasing flight capacity must come with improved airline operations.
“An interim government is currently exploring this. Even if we can serve 10 million more passengers, buying 25 aircraft is not overly ambitious,” he concluded.
