CSB News USA

Abu Obaidha Arin · 11:24 AM

The United States and Bangladesh routinely describe their relationship in the language of partnership, shared prosperity and strategic cooperation. Yet developments in 2026 have fuelled a very different debate in Dhaka: whether the relationship is becoming increasingly asymmetric, with Bangladesh assuming substantial economic and strategic commitments while several contentious U.S. policies toward Bangladesh remain unchanged

The United States and Bangladesh routinely describe their relationship in the language of partnership, shared prosperity and strategic cooperation. Yet developments in 2026 have fuelled a very different debate in Dhaka: whether the relationship is becoming increasingly asymmetric, with Bangladesh assuming substantial economic and strategic commitments while several contentious U.S. policies toward Bangladesh remain unchanged. The controversy begins with the Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, signed on February 9, 2026, just three days before Bangladesh’s national election on February 12. The agreement was concluded by the interim administration headed by Professor Muhammad Yunus, which formally left office after the newly elected government was formed on February 17. Timing alone does not prove improper pressure or intent. But it has understandably become part of the political argument surrounding the deal. Bangladeshi economists and policy analysts have questioned whether an outgoing transitional government should have undertaken commitments of such breadth immediately before voters elected a new parliament. Economist Selim Raihan described the agreement as highly unequal and rushed, while the Centre for Policy…

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