Interim govt’s trade deal with US faces High Court challenge

The constitutional and legal validity of the recently signed Agreement of Reciprocal Trade (ART) between Bangladesh and the United States has been challenged in the High Court.

Lawyer Mohammad Maidul Islam Polok filed a public interest litigation petition to that end on Monday, with Advocate Subir Nandi Das representing him in court.

The secretaries of the ministries of foreign affairs, finance, and commerce have been named as respondents.

The petition is expected to be placed for a hearing on Tuesday before the High Court bench of Justice Razik-Al-Jalil and Justice Debasish Roy Chowdhury.

The trade pact, signed by the Muhammad Yunus-led interim government on Feb 9 -- just three days before the general election -- has drawn sharp criticism for its lopsided terms.

Reports indicate the agreement imposes 131 conditions on Bangladesh, while the US is required to meet only six.

The petitioner describes the agreement as "manifestly irrational and structurally unequal", arguing that it undermines Bangladesh’s economic sovereignty.

"This agreement imposes an unequal burden on Bangladesh,” lawyer Subir told bdnews24.com.

“It risks unfavourable tariff structures, curtails regulatory autonomy, and threatens domestic industry, agriculture, and environmental protection," he said.

The petition further alleges that the authorities failed to follow proper constitutional procedures required for signing international treaties, rendering its legal standing questionable.

The agreement followed a period of intense negotiations after US President Donald Trump announced steep retaliatory tariffs on over 100 countries last year.

While Bangladesh initially faced a proposed 37 percent tariff, it was later reduced to 20 percent.

When finalised, the ART granted Bangladesh an additional 1 percent tariff waiver.

Critics point out that US courts have since struck down many of the retaliatory tariffs Trump imposed on various nations, calling into question the necessity of the concessions made by the interim government.

Though the agreement has yet to be fully implemented, Bangladesh has already moved forward with major procurement deals, including the recent contract to purchase 14 Boeing aircraft.

Independent MP Rumeen Farhana has called for its cancellation in parliament, labelling it detrimental to national interests.