In the refined idiom of jurisprudence! The term “shall” wields commanding authority of the highest order, elevating a mere expression into an obligatory mandate.
More clearly, in legal parlance, the word “shall” bears formidable authority, transforming mere expression into a binding command. It imposes obligation, not discretion, leaving no room for evasion—its presence in any clause converts intent into an enforceable duty with unequivocal and inescapable force.
So, in legal parlance, the word “shall” carries immense weight. Its use creates an unequivocal obligation. For instance, if Robert and John enter into an agreement, and a clause stipulates, “Robert shall provide all his personal data to John,” Robert becomes legally bound to comply. If no such stipulation exists for John, no corresponding obligation arises for him.
In the concluded trade agreement between Bangladesh and the United States on 9 February 2026 under Yunus’s marionette government, and revalidated by the present Tarique Zia government at the dictation of the Washington administration, the term “shall” reportedly appears 136 times—131 instances imposing obligations on Bangladesh, and only 6 on the United States.
The implication, many argue, is self-evident. Is it any surprise, then, that critics denounced it as a servitude-laden pact? Nor, perhaps, is it coincidental that the American ambassador appears so assertively engaged across various spheres?
According to a report published in Kantho on 3 May 2026, the current U.S. envoy arrived in Dhaka on 10 January 2026, succeeding Tracy Ann Jacobson (who had served as Chargé d’Affaires following Peter Haas’s departure on 23 July 2024). While early courtesy meetings with political leaders were routine, her recent activities have drawn considerable attention in a harmful manner.
She has reportedly held meetings with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman and nearly two dozen ministers and advisers. She has also met the chiefs of the three armed services—Army Chief General Waker-uz-Zaman, Navy Chief Admiral Mohammad Nazmul Hassan, and Air Chief Marshal Hasan Mahmud Khan.
Critics in policy and economic circles allege that the agreement seeks to dismantle Bangladesh’s robust, locally grounded economy and replace it with a debt-dependent structure. As part of this strategy, Bangladesh has allegedly been drawn into a “Reciprocal Trade Agreement” (RTA).
Actually, this accord was signed on 9 February 2026 under the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus, a puppet government installed by the American deep state and the CIA through a meticulously designed, long-standing camarilla on 8 August 2024 to serve only their geopolitical and economic interests using the land of Bangladesh.
As a consequence, Bangladesh’s foreign trade is now said to be subject to U.S. approval mechanisms of servitude to them.
Although the agreement reportedly allowed a 60-day window for withdrawal, this opportunity was not exercised. Instead, on 30 April, the BNP-led government moved toward implementation through a major aircraft procurement deal with Boeing for 14 jets. Their temerity is irremissible under any circumstances!
On 3 March 2026, the U.S. ambassador met Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita. Shortly thereafter, Biman Bangladesh Airlines accelerated negotiations with Boeing, culminating in a deal worth approximately 37,000 crore Bangladeshi taka, formally signed on 30 April 2026 at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka.
Notably, just a week prior, businessman Rumi Hossain of Rangs Group was appointed chairman of Biman Bangladesh Airlines.
In the energy sector, on 12 April 2026, the envoy met Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, indicating that companies such as Chevron and Excelerate Energy were prepared to increase gas production. Mintoo’s Multimode Group reportedly holds stakes in both firms. Does his conduct reflect admirable grace and sincerity?
Meanwhile, former U.S. ambassador Peter Haas is now leading Excelerate Bangladesh. Earlier, the Yunus administration had signed a long-term, high-cost LNG agreement with Excelerate, along with offshore gas exploration deals.
Concerns are also rising over corporate dominance in agriculture. On 27 April 2026, the envoy met BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir, urging the application of U.S. “expertise” in rural infrastructure, agriculture, and cooperatives.
Prior to that, on 3 March 2026, she met Agriculture Minister Mohammad Aminur Rashid, who is linked to the Lalmia Group.
Under the RTA, Bangladesh is reportedly required to import $3.5 billion worth of U.S. agricultural products annually.
Analysts fear that, through pressure from institutions such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, subsidies will be reduced, displacing small farmers and opening the market to large corporate agribusinesses.
Further meetings have included discussions with Finance Minister and Chittagong Stock Exchange founder Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, alongside engagements with ministers overseeing home affairs, foreign affairs, commerce, health, law, education, information, and communications.
Accompanied by U.S. Special Envoy Charles Harder, the ambassador has also discussed “security strategy” with energy officials and national security advisers. Her 5 April 2026 meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman was enigmatically described as “productive.”
Yet, in the wake of the Boeing agreement, questions are being raised about how beneficial these engagements truly are for Bangladesh under the BNP-led government.
Many observers contend that the RTA has placed Bangladesh in a constrained position from which disengagement may prove exceedingly difficult.
While the government appears outwardly unperturbed by the heightened U.S. presence, analysts warn that such profound dependency may ultimately prove counterproductive and make Bangladesh a permanent thrall of the American power structure—Bangladesh, the independent and sovereign nation we earned through an immeasurable sea of bloodshed and sacrifice in 1971.
But Bangladesh shall never bow before any form of foreign domination or imposed subjugation. As in 1971, our people will rise with indomitable courage to defend the sovereignty, dignity, and sacred honour of our beloved motherland, restoring it to its rightful and glorious stature before the world.
