Biman Bangladesh Airlines to buy 14 Boeing aircraft in controversial US trade deal.

Bangladesh and the United States signed a major trade deal on February 9. This Agreement on Reciprocal Trade has caused a stir among experts. It was signed by the interim government just days before a national election. Many observers call the deal rushed and risky for the country.

Biman's Massive Boeing Commitment

A central part of the deal involves Biman Bangladesh Airlines. The state-owned carrier will purchase 14 new Boeing aircraft. This order includes eight 787-10 Dreamliners, two 787-9s, and four 737-8 MAX jets.

This move marks a major shift in strategy. Previously, the airline planned to buy aircraft from Airbus. Now, the carrier is doubling down on Boeing to help reduce the trade gap with the U.S. Experts estimate the deal is worth billions of dollars.

Concerns Over "Unequal" Terms

Professor Selim Raihan of Sanem has criticized the agreement. He calls it "highly unequal." In the 32-page document, the phrase "Bangladesh shall" appears 158 times. In contrast, "the United States shall" appears only nine times.

This imbalance suggests that Bangladesh carries most of the obligations. The U.S. reduced its reciprocal tariff by only one percent. Bangladesh, however, must open its market to over 6,700 U.S. products. This includes chemicals, machinery, and agricultural goods.

Managed Trade and Economic Risks

The deal is a form of "managed trade." Bangladesh must buy fixed amounts of U.S. goods. This includes $15 billion in liquefied natural gas over 15 years. It also includes $3.5 billion in wheat, soybean, and cotton.

Critics worry about the financial pressure. Buying expensive goods regardless of market prices could hurt foreign reserves. There is also a risk of increasing reliance on foreign loans to pay for these jets and energy imports.

Geopolitical Shifts

The agreement aligns Bangladesh more closely with U.S. interests. It includes rules on defense purchases and restricts trade with certain other countries. This could affect relations with China and India.

Industry groups like IATA monitor how such bilateral deals affect global aviation competition. For now, the next government will face the challenge of managing these long-term commitments.

• Biman will modernize its fleet with 14 Boeing jets.
• The deal requires $15 billion in U.S. energy imports.
• Critics argue the agreement was rushed before elections.
• Bangladesh faces 158 specific obligations under the new pact.

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