The United States and Bangladesh have reached a landmark Agreement on Reciprocal Trade designed to expand market access and strengthen economic security alignment. Building on the 2013 Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA), this deal establishes a framework for balanced, mutually beneficial trade.

• • Market Access for U.S. Goods: Bangladesh will provide preferential access for U.S. industrial and agricultural products, including medical devices, motor vehicles, chemicals, ICT equipment, beef, poultry, dairy, and soy.

  • Tariff Reductions and Textile "Swap":

    • • The U.S. will lower reciprocal tariffs on Bangladeshi goods to 19%, with some products reaching 0%.

      • A specific mechanism will allow certain Bangladeshi textiles and apparel to enter the U.S. at a 0% tariff rate, but the volume will be linked directly to the amount of U.S.-produced textile inputs (such as cotton) exported to Bangladesh.

  • Regulatory and Standards Alignment: Bangladesh commits to accepting U.S. Federal motor vehicle safety and emissions standards, as well as U.S. FDA certifications for medical devices and pharmaceuticals. It will also remove barriers in the insurance market and digitalize customs procedures.

  • Labor, Environment, and IP Rights: Bangladesh pledges to prohibit forced labor, protect workers' rights to collective bargaining, and enforce environmental laws. The agreement also includes "groundbreaking" intellectual property protections to preserve market access for U.S. producers using common names for cheese and meat.

  • Strategic and Economic Security: Both nations will cooperate on export controls, combat duty evasion, and share information on inbound investments to enhance supply chain resilience against "unfair trade practices."

The agreement highlights several massive upcoming deals for American industry:

• • Energy: $15 billion in U.S. energy product purchases over 15 years.

  • Agriculture: Approximately $3.5 billion in purchases of U.S. wheat, soy, cotton, and corn.

  • Aviation: Procurement of U.S.-manufactured aircraft.

Conclusion:
The Trump Administration frames this agreement as a success for "America First" trade policy, using reciprocal market access to secure billions in exports while ensuring that U.S. safety, labor, and IP standards are adopted by an important South Asian partner.

Key Provisions of the Agreement:Major Commercial Impacts: