No major policy shift in near future, say experts

It seems unlikely that there will be any major policy change with regard to Bangladesh, at least for the time being, under the upcoming presidency of Donald J Trump, experts said yesterday, placing emphasis on skillful negotiation with the new administration that will assume office on January 20, next year.

Based on Trump’s rhetoric during the election campaign, they, however, pointed out to certain concerns like immigration, climate change and restoring GSP privilege for Bangladeshi products under his administration.
The experts advised to wait a bit to see as to what type of policies he develops after assuming the office of the president.
They also said that they are ‘surprised by the outcome of the election, but not overwhelmed as they anticipated something like this based on Trump’s winning of the nomination for the Republican Party by beating quite a few stalwarts.
“I am bit surprised, but not overwhelmed as I anticipated this type of thing can happen,” former Ambassador Muhammad Zamir told The Independent, adding that this was unlikely that there will be any major policy shift regarding Bangladesh in the near future.

The former envoy, of course, pointed out to some concerns like the restoration of GSP and climate change.
“During the election campaign, Trump said that under his presidency US will withdraw from TPP and he is opposed to NAFTA. Under such a man, it will be very difficult for us to get GSP restored. There is also doubt whether he will give money to the fund created for climate change and mitigation,” he said.
“In a way, yes I am surprised by the election result,” former Bangladesh Ambassador to Washington Humayun Kabir told The Independent.
Referring to US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicat’s remarks on Monday that the election result will not affect the existing Dhaka-Washington relationship, he said, “I agree with her. I would ask you to wait a bit to see how he develops his policies in the days ahead. Their policy towards Bangladesh will remain unchanged.”
“From Dhaka’s perspective, the US is very important, but from Washington’s perspective Bangladesh is…,” he added.
“Although, I do not foresee any major change, there are some issues regarding the relationship between the two countries,” Professor Delwar Hossain of the International Relations department at Dhaka University told The Independent.
“For instance, we have dealt with an administration for eight long years. We got used to that. Now, we will have to deal and negotiate with an administration whose chief is famous for his unpredictability and hawkish nature. So, we will have to be skillful in dealing with the administration under Trump,” he said.
Delwar also said that given her anti-immigration and anti-Muslim statements during the course of election campaign, immigrants and Muslims from all over the world including Bangladesh are feeling vulnerable today and will continue feeling the same in the coming days.

No major policy shift in near future, say experts

It seems unlikely that there will be any major policy change with regard to Bangladesh, at least for the time being, under the upcoming presidency of Donald J Trump, experts said yesterday, placing emphasis on skillful negotiation with the new administration that will assume office on January 20, next year. Based on Trumps rhetoric during the election campaign, they, however, pointed out to certain concerns like immigration, climate change and restoring GSP privilege for Bangladeshi products under his administration. The experts advised to wait a bit to see as to whattype of policies he develops after assuming the office of the president. They also said that they are surprised by the outcome of the election, but not overwhelmed as they anticipated something like this based on Trumps winning of the nomination for the Republican Party by beating quite a few stalwarts. I am bit surprised, but not overwhelmed as I anticipated this type of thing can happen, former Ambassador Muhammad Zamir told The Independent, adding that thiswas unlikely that there will be any major policy shift regarding Bangladesh in the near future. The former envoy, of course, pointed out to some concerns like the restoration of GSP and climate change. During the election campaign, Trump said that under his presidency US will withdraw from TPP and he is opposed to NAFTA. Under such a man, it will be very difficult for us to get GSP restored. There is also doubt whether he will give money to the fund created for climate change and mitigation, he said. In a way, yes I am surprised by the election result, former Bangladesh Ambassador to Washington Humayun Kabir told The Independent. Referring to US Ambassador to Bangladesh Marcia Bernicats remarks on Monday that the election result will not affect the existing Dhaka-Washington relationship, he said, I agree with her. I would ask you to wait a bit to see how he develops his policies in the days ahead. Their policy towards Bangladesh will remain unchanged. From Dhakas perspective, the US is very important, but from Washingtons perspective Bangladesh is, he added. Although, I do not foresee any major change, there are some issues regarding the relationship between the two countries, Professor Delwar Hossain of the International Relations department at Dhaka University told The Independent. For instance, we have dealt with an administration for eight long years. We got used to that. Now, we will have to deal and negotiate with an administration whose chief is famous for his unpredictability and hawkish nature. So, we will have to be skillful in dealing with the administration under Trump, he said. Delwar also said that given her anti-immigration and anti-Muslim statements during the course of election campaign, immigrants and Muslims from all over the world including Bangladesh are feeling vulnerable today and will continue feeling the same in the coming days.