Rumeen Urges Tabling of US Trade Deal in Parliament

Rumeen Farhana speaks in Parliament

Independent Member of Parliament Rumeen Farhana has called on the government to place the recently signed trade agreement with the United States before parliament for review.

Raising the issue during a session on Wednesday, she referred to a recent meeting between the US ambassador and the commerce minister, where several aspects of the deal were discussed. These included the trade imbalance between the two countries, Bangladesh’s commitment to import agricultural and energy products, and the need for policy reforms to improve the business climate and attract investment.

Quoting remarks made during the meeting, she said concerns were raised about the gap between Bangladesh’s exports to the United States and its comparatively lower level of imports, which has contributed to a growing trade deficit.

She also questioned the timing of the agreement, noting that it was signed just days before the 13th national parliamentary election. According to her, various civil society groups and policy analysts had argued that such a significant agreement should not have been finalised by an unelected administration.

Rumeen Farhana expressed concern that some provisions of the deal may not align with Bangladesh’s national interests and said the agreement should have been signed only after an elected government took office.

At this stage, the Speaker intervened, stating that the matter did not qualify as a point of order under parliamentary rules, as it was not directly related to ongoing proceedings. He advised her to submit a formal notice if she wished to raise the issue for discussion.

Before concluding, the lawmaker reiterated that the agreement could still be reconsidered within a stipulated timeframe and urged the government to present it before parliament for transparency and debate.

The Speaker, however, maintained that the issue could not be entertained under the point of order and declined to allow further discussion at that moment.