Dhaka, July 21 – Bangladesh has signed a five-year MoU with the United States to import 700,000 tonnes of high-quality wheat annually at competitive prices, just days before the third round of US-Bangladesh tariff negotiations. The deal is seen as a key move to strengthen food security and trade ties amid ongoing friction over tariff conditions.
The agreement was signed by Md Abul Hasanat Humayun Kabir of Bangladesh’s Food Department and Joseph K. Sower, VP of the US Wheat Association, in the presence of Food Adviser Ali Imam Majumdar, who called the deal a step toward greater mutual trust and cooperation.
Meanwhile, the US reiterated its military partnership with Bangladesh, confirming three upcoming joint military exercises:
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Exercise Tiger Lightning – Counterterrorism, jungle ops, and IED response
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Tiger Shark – Special Forces training in maritime operations
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Exercise Pacific Angel – Disaster response, aeromedical ops, and SAR missions
The US also announced the launch of the QQ-21 Blackjack drone program, a joint surveillance initiative involving Bangladesh’s Army and Navy.
Tensions remain as earlier tariff talks stalled, with Washington demanding increased security cooperation before easing conditions. On July 9, President Donald Trump imposed a 35% tariff, set to take effect August 1, unless further progress is made in the upcoming negotiation round.