Donald Trump’s victory has taken the world by surprise with many apprehensive of negative consequences but experts believe there will be no policy change towards Muslim- majority Bangladesh.
Trump raised a host of questions with his Muslim ban policy and tirade against immigration and illegal immigrants in the United States at the early stage of his campaign.
The business tycoon and former TV reality show host, in the run-up to the campaign, pledged to take “America First” path and spoke against free trade and immigration, which is directly related to Bangladesh.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was one the first leaders to congratulate Trump soon after the victory and intended to work “closely” with his administration. Hasina also believed that the bilateral relations would strengthen with Trump in the Oval Office.
Former foreign secretary Md Touhid Hossain believes that there would be no change in US policy when it comes to Bangladesh.
“I don’t think there will be any change in US-Bangladesh relations,” he told bdnews24.com in a reaction after the results.
“In fact, foreign policy does not change overnight. It takes time. And Bangladesh is not a party to the global affairs in which the US has core interests,” he pointed out.
He believed that many of his campaign speeches would remain as “rhetoric”.
“He talked about building wall along the Mexico border. Is it possible to build such a wall? I don’t think so. Even on internal immigration issue, his decision can be vetoed by the senators. They can oppose any unacceptable proposal by the president. So, it’s not easy”
“The judiciary is independent where even an illegal migrant can take shelter. Even an illegal migrant has a legal status that he is illegal,” he said.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, however, does not see any change in immigration policy.
“America is a nation of immigrants. Different governments tried to interfere and change immigration policies before, but they could not. This time too, nothing will happen,” he said at a function in Dhaka on Wednesday.
President of the apex business body, the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Abdul Matlub Ahmad is “happy” to get a businessman as US president.
“We have nothing to lose from the US as we got nothing during Obama’s eight years,” he said, referring to the GSP privilege that Obama administration revoked on workers’ rights and factory safety concerns.
Bangladeshi products do not get duty-free access to US market.
“For us, it’ll be a new beginning. Now we need to immediately step up our economic diplomacy with Washington. Within six months in his office, we should make a point to him. He is a businessman and I think we’ll get something from him.”
Ahmad was “not worried” about what Trump had said during his campaign.
“During election campaigns, politicians make different types of statements. But they can’t follow those verbatim after coming to power. Indian Prime Minister Modi had also made many statements about Bangladeshis, but in reality he did the opposite. He solved even outstanding issues,” he argued.
Hillary Clinton’s defeat, for by many, has come as a relief for the incumbent government in Bangladesh as Obama administration had reservations about the general elections on Jan 5, 2014 in which the ruling Awami League came to power for the second successive term.
Muhammad Yunus with then US secretary of state Hillary Clinton when she visited Bangladesh in May 2012.
The government also sacked Muhammad Yunus, a close friend of the Clintons, from Grameen Bank as managing director on the grounds that he had crossed the official age limit in 2011 to continue in the office.
Former ambassador Ashfaqur Rahman is also sanguine after the Trump miracle.
“It’s too early to make any comment. But I am hopeful. He did not make any adverse comment on Bangladesh, so why should we be worried?”
“Yes, there is a perception that Hillary might not have got on with the prime minister because of the Prof Yunus issue. But the government does not have any such problem with the Republicans,” he told bdnews24.com.
But another former ambassador, M Humayun Kabir who served in Washington, does not see any major issue that might affect Bangladesh even if Trump changes policies.
“If he changes immigration rules and regulations, which he can using his executive authority, then there will be challenges for Bangladeshis living there and waiting for regularisation. They might be affected.
“On the issue of trade, we are already under the duty-regime so there will be no change to that,” he said, adding that traditionally Republicans promote free trade, but Trump talked against that.
“I am not sure how he will choose his course,” he said.
Source: Bd news24
