Press Release
The ‘United States-Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade’ Is a Deliberate Attempt to Turn Bangladesh Into a Proxy State of Colonialist USA; a Genuine Political Will Is Enough to Get Rid of This Servile Agreement

The ‘United States-Bangladesh Agreement on Reciprocal Trade’ (ART), signed with the United States in response to Trump’s unilateral tariff policy, is far from an ordinary trade deal. Rather, it represents an unprecedented instrument of subjugation. Its core objective is to establish America’s colonial control over Bangladesh’s industry, commerce, agriculture, cybersecurity, internal security, and our armed forces. This agreement is effectively a revamped version of the controversial Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (TICFA), originally signed on November 25, 2013, during the tenure of the fallen Hasina regime. Under its framework, it paves the way for fast-tracking sovereignty-eroding defense pacts such as the General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA) and the Acquisition and Cross-Servicing Agreement (ACSA). If GSOMIA is signed, Bangladesh’s military installations will come under foreign scrutiny. If ACSA is implemented, the country risks being transformed into a de facto undeclared American military outpost. This would deepen dependence on US weaponry and lock Bangladesh into a long-term strategic trap. In fact, under the cover of ART, the United States seeks to turn Bangladesh into a proxy state to advance its geopolitical ambitions - namely, containing China’s rise and obstructing the political aspirations of the Muslim Ummah - the emergence of the Khilafah (Caliphate). No man with sense can accept such an agreement. As Allah (swt) says:

[كَيْفَ وَإِن يَظْهَرُوا عَلَيْكُمْ لاَ يَرْقُبُواْ فِيكُمْ إِلاًّ وَلاَ ذِمَّةً] “...if they gain dominance over you, they do not observe concerning you any pact of kinship or covenant of protection” [Surah At-Tawbah: 8].

Aware citizens from all walks of life are expressing their deep concern over this anti-national trade agreement. But mysteriously, both the ruling and the opposition parties remain inactive and silent on this critical issue. This raises a serious question among the people: are these political forces relying on the strength and mandate of the People, or on America’s backing to sustain their hold on power? They should take heed - history shows that even regimes that served America’s interests have ultimately become its targets. The ruling establishment in Iran, despite past alignments, has not been spared from America’s hostility. With key sectors such as Iran’s digital infrastructure - particularly platforms like Starlink - falling under foreign influence, it has enabled the targeting and assassination of senior officials, military commanders, and scientists. Allah (swt) says:

[فَأَذَاقَهُمُ اللَّهُ الْخِزْيَ فِي الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا وَلَعَذَابُ الْآخِرَةِ أَكْبَرُ لَوْ كَانُوا يَعْلَمُونَ]

“So Allāh made them taste disgrace in worldly life. But the punishment of the Hereafter is greater, if they only knew” [Az-Zumar: 26].

In reality, firm political will alone is sufficient to withdraw from this subservient agreement. When our expatriates remit over $30 billion annually in foreign currency, it is both reasonable and strategically sound not to be intimidated by a $7.2 billion trade deficit with the United States- especially when such a stance would ultimately cost the US itself. Bangladesh must move towards building a self-reliant economy. This requires reducing overdependence on the garment sector, ensuring proper training and upskilling of migrant workers, and promoting export-oriented industries based on local raw materials-such as the leather sector. At the same time, initiatives must be taken to diversify exports and strengthen domestic production capacity. Furthermore, Bangladesh must reclaim control over its energy resources by ending the exploitative dominance of corporations like Chevron and Excelerate Energy in the oil and gas sector, and bringing these critical assets under national management. Hizb ut Tahrir, Wilayah Bangladesh, has previously presented a comprehensive framework for a self-sufficient economy, which has received significant appreciation among aware circles. Therefore, sincere political leaders must take a clear stand in favor of the people and act decisively to cancel this agreement. At the same time, the people must demand an unambiguous position from all political parties on this critical issue.

O People, you are aware that only the sincere political leadership of Hizb ut Tahrir has been consistently engaged in an intellectual and political struggle to liberate the Muslim Ummah from the grip of colonialists through the establishment of the Khilafah. Therefore, you must unite with this committed leadership to accelerate the effort toward establishing the Khilafah Rashidah (Rightly Guided Caliphate), as promised by Allah (swt). The imminent Khilafah state will unite the Muslim Ummah and, by confronting the United States and the current oppressive capitalist world order, will establish a just global system based on Islam, Insha’Allah.

[يَـٰٓأَيُّهَا ٱلَّذِينَ ءَامَنُوا۟ ٱسْتَجِيبُوا۟ لِلَّهِ وَلِلرَّسُولِ إِذَا دَعَاكُمْ لِمَا يُحْيِيكُمْ]

“O you who believe! Respond to Allah and to the Messenger when he calls you to that which gives you life” [Surah Al-Anfal: 24]

Media Office of Hizb ut Tahrir
in Wilayah Bangladesh