Bengal Council policy brief outlines roadmap for implementing Bangladesh-US trade deal
Washington-based think tank says zero-tariff access for garments made with US cotton could boost Bangladesh's RMG sector but warns success hinges on institutional reforms and effective implementation.
Highlights:
- Bengal Council releases Bangladesh-US trade policy brief
- Sees zero-tariff cotton corridor as major opportunity
- Calls for parliamentary oversight of agreement
- Recommends eight measures for effective implementation
The Bengal Council, a Washington DC-based think tank, has published a policy brief assessing the recently signed reciprocal trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States, describing it as the foundation of a deeper strategic economic partnership rather than simply a tariff reduction deal.
The six-page report, titled The Cotton Corridor: Bangladesh's Reciprocal Trade Agreement with the United States and the Path Forward, examines the agreement's implications for Bangladesh's export economy, bilateral trade, geopolitics and long-term economic cooperation, reads a press release issued yesterday (8 July).
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According to the report, the agreement's provision for zero-tariff access to garments manufactured using US-origin cotton could significantly strengthen Bangladesh's ready-made garment sector if implemented efficiently.
However, it cautions that the agreement also carries substantial compliance obligations and says parliamentary review, institutional oversight and strategic implementation will be critical to maximising its benefits while managing long-term risks.
The report analyses the agreement across five areas: Bangladesh's export economy, the negotiated commitments, the broader geopolitical and commercial landscape, opportunities for expanding bilateral cooperation, and the institutional capacity needed for successful implementation.
It also examines how the agreement could affect Bangladesh's trade relations with the European Union, India, China and other partners, while assessing the implications of the evolving US tariff framework.
Beyond trade, the brief identifies opportunities to deepen cooperation in investment, technology, supply chain resilience, cybersecurity and development finance.
To support implementation, the Bengal Council proposes eight policy recommendations, including operationalising the agreement's zero-tariff cotton corridor, establishing formal parliamentary oversight, managing relations with third-country trading partners, leveraging the agreement to accelerate domestic reforms, and coordinating with other reciprocal trade partners in future negotiations with Washington.
"The debate surrounding the agreement has largely focused on what Bangladesh conceded," the report says. "An equally important question is how Bangladesh can strategically govern the agreement to unlock its long-term economic and geopolitical advantages."
The Bengal Council is a Washington-based think tank that conducts policy research on Bangladesh-US relations, regional geopolitics, trade, economic development and strategic affairs.
