Bangladesh has negotiated an agreement with the United States that allows the next elected government to amend or even cancel its provisions, National Security Adviser to the interim government Khalilur Rahman said on Sunday.

Speaking at a welcome reception hosted by the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at the Gulshan Club in Dhaka, Khalilur said ongoing talks with the US administration were guided by three core principles.

‘We are negotiating with President Trump’s government on an agreement that is revocable,’ he told the gathering. ‘First, as we are not an elected government, we will not bind the next administration. The next government must have the authority to make changes, modify, or cancel it.’

The second principle, he explained, was that Bangladesh would only assume responsibilities it could fulfil.

‘If we fail to meet any commitments, the US will revoke the agreement and impose a 37 per cent tariff,’ Khalilur said.

He said the third principle was that the agreement would remain strictly bilateral, with no extension of the same terms to any third country, as Bangladesh did not wish to be drawn into any geopolitical trap, adding that tariffs could be reduced further for Bangladesh in the future.

The reception was organised to congratulate the Bangladesh delegation, led by Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin, for successfully negotiating a reduction in the reciprocal tariff rate to 20 per cent from 35 per cent.

Bashir Uddin said Bangladesh had pledged to the US authorities that it would reduce the bilateral trade deficit by 75 per cent within a year.

He said that the delegation might return to Washington within two or three weeks, as negotiations were still under way.

‘The fascist government has left behind a ‘time-bound time bomb’ in the name of LDC graduation,’ commerce adviser said, describing it as one of the country’s most pressing challenges.

‘The next challenge after Trump’s tariff is LDC graduation, which is even bigger. All businesses and stakeholders must come together to devise an action plan with strong leadership,’ Bashir Uddin said.

BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell said the successful tariff negotiations had strengthened Bangladesh’s position in the global market, attracting more inquiries from international buyers.

‘We want to invest further… now is the high time to invest in the textile sector,’ he said.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan and BKMEA President Mohammad Hatem also addressed the event.