Govt’s NDA signing a first of its kind in Bangladesh’s history: Debapriya on US tariff talks
This new tariff regime should serve as a wake-up call for Bangladesh about its future direction, he says
Highlights:
- The NDA creates binding secrecy, unlike a non-paper alternative, says Debapriya
- He says Bangladesh cannot share NDA details with lobbyists
- Debapriya doubts the long-term success of Trump's tariff policy but calls it a wake-up call
- Bangladesh must improve diversification, productivity, and institutional capacity
- Debapriya called the interim government "innocent" on the tariff issue
The type of non-disclosure agreement (NDA) signed during tariff negotiations with the United States is the first of its kind in Bangladesh's history, said Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) distinguished fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya today (20 July).
"No partner country has ever provided an NDA document before in Bangladesh's history," he said while speaking at a roundtable discussion titled 'United States Reciprocal Tariff: Which Way Should Bangladesh Go?' organised by Prothom Alo at a hotel in the capital.
Debapriya explained, "Instead, a non-paper could have been issued — essentially stating a position without requiring a formal signature. A non-paper creates a sense of responsibility, but what we have now is a binding obligation."
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He further said, "Under this agreement, even if Bangladesh appoints a lobbyist, the information cannot be shared with them."
Debapriya said he believes that the Trump administration's new theory or policy on tariffs is unlikely to be effective in the long run. Nevertheless, he said it is a necessary wake-up call for Bangladesh.
"This new tariff regime should serve as a wake-up call for Bangladesh about its future direction," he said, emphasising the urgent need for progress in three key areas - economic diversification, productivity growth, and institutional capacity.
Taking a satirical jab at the interim government's handling of the US tariff issue, Debapriya remarked, "We are moving forward with an innocent government in muddy waters."
"I have never seen such an innocent and government," he added pointedly.
Debapriya also cautioned that weak and uncoordinated governments — especially those lacking political legitimacy — have rarely succeeded in international negotiations.
An NDA, also known as a confidentiality agreement, is usually a legally binding contract that outlines confidential information and restricts its disclosure to unauthorised parties.
During a media briefing last week, Commerce Adviser Sheikh Bashir Uddin said the interim government is preparing for a third round of talks with Washington, with hopes of reaching a consensus before the 1 August deadline.
Regarding concerns about a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) with the United States, Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain stated that an NDA can be signed with a country. However, he said he does not know exactly what will happen in case of the US as the negotiations are still underway led by the Commerce Ministry.
"Non-disclosure agreement can certainly be done with a country…I have given you a very technical answer," he said without getting into details while speaking to reporters on 16 July.
