Anti-Imperialism Alliance demands cancellation of US trade deal

The Anti-Imperialism and Anti-War Alliance carried out campaigns in different parts of the capital on Saturday, demanding the cancellation of what it described as a “national interest-contradictory” trade agreement signed with the United States.

As part of the alliance’s declared “campaign and outreach week,” separate programmes were held in Jurain and Mohammadpur, where leaflets were distributed and street meetings and public outreach activities took place.

At both events, alliance leaders alleged that the interim government signed an unequal trade agreement with the United States “beyond its mandate,” which has not yet come into effect. 

They claimed that Malaysia has already cancelled such an agreement and India has suspended it, and therefore Bangladesh should also scrap the deal before it is enforced.

Leaders further alleged that there are initiatives to lease various terminals of Chattogram port to foreign companies. 

They demanded cancellation of lease agreements for the Laldia and Pangaon terminals and called for halting any move to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal to a foreign entity.

Speakers at the gatherings also said that no “self-respecting government” has come to power in the country since independence and that various agreements against national interests have been signed over time. They demanded that such agreements be made public and cancelled.

They also urged the government to take a strong stance against what they described as US-Israeli aggression in Iran and the genocide in Gaza.

Among those present at the programmes were Bazlur Rashid Firoz, Nazmul Haque Pradhan, Abdus Sattar, Mohin Uddin Chowdhury Liton, Shahidul Islam Sabuj, Kamal Hossain Badal, Ragib Ahsan Munna, Belal Chowdhury, and Nazrul Islam, among others.

The alliance urged its supporters to ensure the success of a planned memorandum submission to the speaker of parliament on 27 April.

It will announce further programmes on Sunday, with a gathering at 11am at Nabisco intersection, followed by activities in Nakhalpara Rail Gate-Lucas-Farmgate areas, and another at 4:30pm in front of Khilgaon Taltola Market.