The hurriedly signed trade agreement with the United States -- concluded on February 9 -- demands immediate and sober reassessment. A trade deal that implicitly conditions economic access on strategic alignment may erode that flexibility over time. Trade rules should enable innovation -- not restrict the state’s capacity to respond to unforeseen technological or market shifts. Approving it without modification may signal continuity -- but at the cost of future policy maneuverability. The decisions taken in the coming weeks will shape Bangladesh’s economic future and geopolitical posture for decades.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 21, 2026 09:18 UTC