The election of Donald Trump as the President of the United States in 2024 has closely been observed in Bangladesh, as in much of the world. For a country like Bangladesh, which depends heavily on global trade, remittances, and strategic international partnerships, Trump’s “America First” rhetoric and his unorthodox approach to governance were both intriguing and concerning. The impact of his presidency on Bangladesh can be analyzed through several lenses: trade and economy, foreign relations, immigration policies, and the broader geopolitical landscape of South Asia.

One of the most immediate concerns for Bangladesh following Trump’s election was his stance on trade. The U.S. is one of Bangladesh's largest export markets, particularly for ready-made garments (RMG), which account for over 80% of the country’s exports. Trump’s skepticism of multilateral trade agreements and his preference for bilateral deals raised questions about the future of trade relations. While Bangladesh was not directly targeted by Trump’s trade policies, the global uncertainty caused by the U.S.-China trade war indirectly affected Bangladesh’s economy. On the one hand, the tariffs imposed on Chinese goods provided an opportunity for Bangladesh to attract businesses looking to diversify their supply chains. On the other hand, the overall slowdown in global trade impacted demand for Bangladeshi exports.

Another significant aspect of Trump’s presidency from Bangladesh’s perspective was his approach to immigration and visa policies. Bangladeshi immigrants form a significant portion of the South Asian diaspora in the United States, and their contributions, both in terms of remittances and cultural exchange, are vital. However, Trump’s restrictive immigration policies, including the travel bans targeting Muslim-majority countries and the tightening of visa categories, created anxiety among Bangladeshi immigrants. Although Bangladesh was not directly included in the travel bans, the broader anti-immigration rhetoric and the rise in xenophobia and Islamophobia in the U.S. were deeply concerning for many Bangladeshis. Furthermore, the Trump administration's emphasis on reducing family-based immigration and imposing stricter criteria for work visas threatened to limit opportunities for Bangladeshis seeking to build a future in the U.S.

Geopolitically, Trump’s policies had mixed implications for Bangladesh. His administration’s growing focus on countering China influenced South Asia’s dynamics, particularly as Bangladesh is a key player in the region. While the U.S. continued to engage with Bangladesh as part of its broader Indo-Pacific strategy, Trump’s disengagement from multilateral diplomacy and development initiatives left a void that China was quick to fill. Bangladesh’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and its growing economic ties with Beijing became more prominent during Trump’s tenure. While these ties have brought significant infrastructure investments to Bangladesh, they also raised concerns about dependency and debt. The Trump administration’s emphasis on countering China highlighted the delicate balancing act that Bangladesh must perform between its strategic partnerships with the U.S., China, and India.

Humanitarian issues also played a role in shaping Bangladesh’s view of Trump’s presidency. The Rohingya refugee crisis, which escalated in 2017 when over 700,000 Rohingya Muslims fled persecution in Myanmar and sought refuge in Bangladesh, became a critical issue for the country. While the U.S. provided significant humanitarian aid to support the Rohingya refugees, Trump’s broader stance on refugee resettlement and his administration’s reduced emphasis on human rights raised concerns about the long-term international commitment to resolving the crisis. Bangladesh hoped for stronger U.S. advocacy at international forums to hold Myanmar accountable and facilitate the safe and dignified repatriation of the Rohingya people, but such efforts were not a priority for the Trump administration.

On the domestic front, Trump’s presidency also influenced perceptions in Bangladesh regarding leadership and global politics. His brash, transactional approach to diplomacy was often contrasted with traditional U.S. foreign policy, leaving many in Bangladesh unsure about the reliability of the U.S. as a strategic partner. His focus on “America First” was seen as a departure from the U.S.’s role as a global leader, prompting Bangladesh to diversify its international relationships. This included strengthening ties with regional powers like India and China, as well as exploring partnerships with other emerging economies.

Public opinion in Bangladesh about Trump was divided. Among the revolutions in the political arena of Bangladesh, people had different views. Many have a fear of unrest on the political side, but many of them are quite happy. As there is a tough time going on between India and Bangladesh due to the reason of giving protection to the prior fascist government of Bangladesh, there is unrest between these two countries, and there are different opinions. However, his rhetoric on immigration, Islam, and global cooperation led to skepticism and criticism, particularly among intellectuals and policymakers. For many Bangladeshis, Trump’s presidency underscored the need for the country to reduce its reliance on any single global power and to adopt a more nuanced approach to its foreign policy.

In conclusion, the election of Donald Trump had significant implications for Bangladesh, shaping its trade, immigration, and geopolitical strategies. While his presidency created new opportunities, such as increased trade diversification, it also presented challenges in terms of global uncertainty and reduced multilateral engagement. For Bangladesh, circumnavigating the difficulties of Trump’s policies strengthened the importance of flexibility, compliance, and a stable tactic to international relations in a progressively erratic world.