Bangladesh now faces an additional 10% tariff over alleged forced labour, effective 24 July, while a separate US investigation into alleged excess production could expose the country to further duties.
Despite signing a $3.7 billion aircraft purchase agreement and agreeing to buy higher-priced American wheat as part of its commitments under the US Agreement on Reciprocal Trade, Bangladesh has so far gained little except fresh tariffs imposed unilaterally by Washington, raising questions about the deal's effectiveness.
Meanwhile, a key benefit promised under the trade deal — zero reciprocal tariff on apparel made with American cotton — remains elusive, leaving Bangladesh's exporters uncertain about any gain from it.
Bangladesh made all the concessions, while the US imposed only tariffs – that is how economists assess the trade deal after Washington slapped fresh tariffs on Bangladesh.
Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told TBS that the trade agreement with the US was "fundamentally unfair and unreasonable".
"The US has imposed almost identical tariff rates on around 60 countries, including Bangladesh.
That means Bangladesh gained no real advantage from signing the agreement.
Instead, it has committed to importing various US products at higher prices," he said.