A roundtable discussion organized by the Anti-Imperialism and Anti-War Alliance was held at the National Press Club’s Tofazzal Hossain Manik Miah Hall on June 10, 2026. The event was chaired by Comrade Bazlur Rashid Firoz, General Secretary of BASAD and a leading figure of the alliance.

Among the speakers were prominent economist Professor Anu Muhammad; Professor Dr. Mustafizur Rahman, Distinguished Fellow at CPD; BGMEA Vice President Enamul Haque Khan; journalist and Charcha editor Sohrab Hossain; former BSCIC Director Abu Taher Khan; and Dhaka University Associate Professor Moshahida Sultana.

The introductory statement on behalf of the alliance was delivered by Dr. Mushtaq Hossain, a member of the standing committee of Bangladesh JASAD.

Professor Anu Muhammad described the recently signed trade agreement with the United States as “Trump’s directive disguised as a trade deal,” arguing that it serves American interests exclusively and fails to protect Bangladesh’s national interests.

He criticized both the government and opposition parties for remaining silent on the issue and urged the BNP government to cancel the agreement if it truly stands for the slogan “Bangladesh First.”

Professor Mustafizur Rahman called the agreement a one-sided arrangement favoring the United States. He noted that while the US imposed reciprocal tariffs on 57 countries in 2025, many of its allies declined to sign similar agreements.

According to him, Bangladesh was among only a handful of countries that signed, and did so under terms that he argued compromised national interests.

Associate Professor Moshahida Sultana questioned the lack of transparency surrounding the agreement, stating that it had not yet been ratified while related procurement decisions were already being implemented.

She warned that recent energy agreements could increase foreign influence over Bangladesh’s energy sector and called for the cancellation of the trade deal and greater involvement of national experts in policymaking.

Several speakers, including Sohrab Hossain and Abu Taher Khan, argued that the agreement would undermine Bangladesh’s economic sovereignty, weaken domestic agriculture and industry, and expand foreign influence in strategic sectors. They called for broader public debate and stronger resistance to policies they believe threaten national interests.

BGMEA Vice President Enamul Haque Khan emphasized the importance of protecting Bangladesh’s garment industry, which employs around four million workers, most of them women.

While refraining from taking a position on the agreement, he urged the government to consult all stakeholders and experts before making decisions affecting national industry and employment.

In his closing remarks, Bazlur Rashid Firoz described the agreement as harmful to Bangladesh’s sovereignty and economy.

He called for a united movement to cancel the deal, disclose all foreign agreements, and oppose what he characterized as growing foreign influence over the country’s economic and strategic affairs.

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