There is no last word in international diplomacy, and the recent situation in Bangladesh alongside US politics stands as a major testament to that. Tareq Rahman—who was identified by the US administration in 2008 as a central figure of corruption and a patron of terrorism, leading to a recommendation for a ban on his entry into the United States—is today receiving a direct invitation to the White House from US President Donald Trump. Political analysts believe this diplomatic polarization has taken place in exchange for a commitment to purchase 25 aircraft from the plane manufacturer Boeing and to import a massive volume of US goods.

Trump's Letter and Hints of a White House Meeting

Sergio Gor, the US President's Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs, recently revealed news of an unprecedented trade deal between Bangladesh and the United States via a post on the social media platform 'X' (formerly Twitter). Shortly thereafter, a letter written on President Trump's official letterhead reached Bangladesh's new Prime Minister, Tareq Rahman.

Expressing deep satisfaction with the decision to purchase new Boeings worth nearly $1 billion, Trump noted that he highly values this decision. Assuring Bangladesh, he wrote, "Boeing will not disappoint you," adding that he would remember this purchase. At the end of the letter, Trump expressed a strong desire to meet Tareq Rahman in person very soon. Tareq Rahman is scheduled to attend the United Nations General Assembly session in New York this coming September. It is speculated that this historic meeting between the two leaders could take place at the White House in Washington, D.C., during that trip.

Decision to Buy 25 Boeings: Intense Controversy and Financial Crisis

Pledging to buy 25 Boeings in two phases within just six months of taking office has raised widespread questions and criticism across the country.

• April Agreement: Two months after assuming power, in April, the first announcement came regarding the purchase of 14 Boeing aircraft to expand Biman Bangladesh Airlines' fleet, with an estimated cost of around 45,500 crore BDT. • New August Commitment: Following Sergio Gor's announcement at the end of August, it was revealed that Bangladesh had agreed to buy an additional 11 Boeings.

On one hand, rumors swirl regarding a financial crunch to buy oil and gas for running power plants, the government relies on daily loans of hundreds of crores of BDT to meet operational expenses, and factories are shutting down, putting millions of jobs at risk. On the other hand, economic and political analysts have questioned how justified such a massive purchase is at this precise moment. While Sergio Gor publicly praised Trump’s foresight in boosting the US economy and creating jobs, many view Bangladesh's concession amid economic strain as the result of US pressure.

From Moriarty's Cable to Diplomatic Success: The Backstory

Behind the rush to sign such a massive military and commercial deal despite the ongoing financial crisis lie various diplomatic and personal calculations.

In a secret cable sent to Washington in November 2008, then-US Ambassador James F. Moriarty leveled allegations of political corruption, kleptocracy, and actions contrary to US development policy against Tareq Rahman. He strongly recommended permanently banning Tareq Rahman from entering the US under 'Presidential Proclamation 7750.' From then on, traveling to the United States became virtually impossible for Tareq Rahman for a long time.

Although UN rules allow heads of government of member states to visit New York, Tareq Rahman harbored doubts due to the Trump administration's unpredictable policies. Ignoring the stern messages sent from Washington right after Trump took power regarding maintaining trade agreements would have been risky for the new government. Consequently, executing this massive Boeing deal is widely viewed as a strategy to secure a hassle-free UN visit without unpleasant situations and to open the doors of the White House.

Equations and Future Uncertainty

Discussions will persist over how much Tareq Rahman has managed to repair his international image through this deal. However, the durability of this diplomatic relation remains uncertain. Previously, Professor Muhammad Yunus was unable to secure Washington's long-term support regarding interim arrangements.

Apart from the United States, countries like China, India, and Russia hold massive investments in Bangladesh. How Bangladesh resolves its ongoing financial and energy crises, and how long Trump’s "warm friendship" lasts amidst various geopolitical pressures, remains to be seen. For now, however, it appears Tareq Rahman has temporarily gained the upper hand in a major diplomatic game with the United States in exchange for purchasing Boeings.

Author: Dr. Abul Hasnat Milton, Journalist, Political Analyst, and Editor-in-Chief, The Source News Bangla