Staff Reporter :
Foreign Affairs Adviser Md Touhid Hossain has indicated that Bangladesh may sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) with the United States, a move that was earlier referenced by the Commerce Adviser to the Interim Government.
“Technically, such an agreement is possible, and certain information would be kept confidential. The relevant ministry is overseeing the matter. We should wait for the outcome of the ongoing negotiations,” Hossain said on Wednesday.
He made the remarks while speaking at the inauguration of a month-long photography and graffiti exhibition at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka, responding to questions about the interim government’s authority to finalise an NDA and the current status of trade negotiations with Washington.
“An NDA can certainly be concluded with a country – I’ve given you a very technical response,” he added.
An NDA, or confidentiality agreement, is a legally binding contract that restricts the sharing of confidential information with third parties without authorisation. While confirming the possibility of such an agreement, the Foreign Adviser declined to comment on specific terms, citing the sensitive and ongoing nature of the discussions.
“The concerned ministry is best placed to provide details. Since negotiations are in progress, let us wait to see the results,” he said.
On the issue of tariffs, Adviser Hossain also refrained from commenting on the 35 per cent counter-tariff imposed on Bangladeshi exports under a policy introduced by former US President Donald Trump.
“I do not have all the details on the tariff matter, and I do not wish to cause any diplomatic complications by speaking prematurely,” he told reporters. “As a government official, I must be mindful that any public statements could influence the negotiation process.”
Meanwhile, Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin confirmed that Bangladesh is preparing for a fresh round of trade talks with the United States ahead of the 1 August deadline, expressing optimism that an agreement could be reached in time.
He said notable progress had been achieved during the second round of negotiations.
“On the final day of the last round, both parties reached consensus on several key issues. We remain hopeful of securing a positive outcome within the given timeframe,” Bashir said.
The renewed urgency follows the US administration’s announcement that, effective from 1 August 2025, a flat 35 per cent tariff will be imposed on all Bangladeshi products entering the American market, in addition to existing sector-specific duties.
Preparations are currently underway for a third round of negotiations in Washington, while inter-ministerial consultations continue in Dhaka.
Bashir described the ongoing discussions as “encouraging”, noting that stakeholders had been briefed and a draft Reciprocal Tariff Agreement is now under negotiation.
“We’re preparing for another official visit to the United States later this month. We are optimistic about reaching a favourable resolution,” he added.
