News Desk
Bangladesh’s new trade deal with the United States has triggered strong concerns about genetically modified food imports and the future of rural livelihoods. The agreement was signed on February 9, 2026, three days before the national election . The Interim Government accepted the deal to avoid a proposed 37 percent reciprocal tariff on Bangladeshi goods, which the US later reduced to 19 percent after the signing.
Critics say the agreement opens the door for large‑scale imports of US meat and dairy products produced through genetically modified feed. They warn that this will undermine Bangladesh’s livestock sector, which supports 80–85 percent of the country’s 4.1 crore households and contributes significantly to agricultural GDP . The US livestock industry, by contrast, is heavily subsidised, creating an unequal competitive environment. The US Department of Agriculture has spent at least USD 72 billion on subsidies for livestock and seafood producers over recent decades.
The agreement’s Article 1.6 requires Bangladesh to allow genetically modified products without pre‑market approval, labelling, or additional regulation . This includes GM soybean and Bt corn, which are widely used in US animal feed. The deal also obliges Bangladesh to accept US sanitary and phytosanitary standards and prohibits the country from entering agreements with third parties that impose stricter technical standards than those of the US.
Environmental groups and farmers’ organisations argue that the removal of labelling requirements will reduce consumer choice and weaken food safety oversight. They also highlight cultural sensitivities, noting that US chicken feed contains recycled animal by‑products, including beef and pork, which is a concern in a Muslim‑majority country .
Analysts say the agreement could allow indirect entry of GM soybean and corn into Bangladesh through imported meat, dairy, and processed foods, even if the country does not import the crops directly . They also warn that herbicide‑tolerant GM crops have contributed to rising weed resistance globally, increasing chemical use and environmental risks.
Malaysia recently declared its own US trade deal invalid, setting a precedent that some experts believe Bangladesh should consider. The agreement includes clauses that allow renegotiation or termination, but exercising these options will depend on political will rather than legal constraints .
