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Bangladesh’s ongoing tariff negotiations with the United States include a provision allowing the next elected government to amend or cancel the deal, National Security Adviser to the interim government Dr Khalilur Rahman said on Sunday.

Speaking at a welcome reception hosted by the Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) at Gulshan Club, Dr Rahman outlined three core principles guiding the talks.

“First, as we are not an elected government, we are not binding the next administration. They will have full authority to modify or revoke the agreement,” he said.

The second principle, he noted, is that the government will commit only to deliverables it can achieve. “If we fail to meet our commitments, the US has the right to cancel the deal and impose a 37% tariff on our goods.”

The third principle is that the agreement will remain strictly bilateral. “We will not engage in arrangements involving third countries. We want to avoid any geopolitical traps,” Dr Rahman added.

He also hinted at the possibility of securing an even lower tariff rate for Bangladesh.

The remarks come after Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin led negotiations to cut reciprocal tariffs from 35% to 20%. Uddin said Bangladesh had committed to reducing its trade deficit with the US by 75% within a year.

“If required, we will travel to the US again in the next two to three weeks, as talks are still ongoing,” he said.

Calling the country’s LDC graduation a “time-bound time bomb” left behind by the previous government, Uddin said it posed a greater challenge than the “Trump tariff,” and urged business leaders to work together on a national action plan.

BTMA President Showkat Aziz Russell said the tariff concession had strengthened Bangladesh’s market position, attracting increased inquiries from buyers. “Now is the right time to invest in the textile sector,” he added.

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