- Shah Choudhury and Mohammed Mia
In geopolitics, timing is everything. The proposed 37% US tariff on Bangladesh’s ready-made garments (RMG) is not just a policy shift—it’s a moment of truth. With over 4 million workers, most of them women, tied to our $7B+ RMG export industry, the risks are immense. But so are the opportunities.
This is not the time for defensive diplomacy. It is the time for deliberate repositioning.
Bangladesh must meet the US where it is: focused on reciprocity, strategic alignment, and economic leverage. The Trump administration’s revived “America First” doctrine is not simply punitive—it’s transactional. Nations that understand this dynamic and offer tangible value will be rewarded with access, influence, and long-term partnership.
UBUI’s strategic playbook—grounded in current trade data, investment trends, and the political psychology of Washington—offers a path forward. We call it the Bangladesh Tariff Waiver Protocol (BTWP): a 36-month, six-pillar agenda to safeguard exports, open markets, and turn Bangladesh into a strategic partner for American industries.
The Tri-Vue Framework: Seeing Beyond the Headlines
At UBUI, we apply a three-layered lens to moments of flux—whether in geopolitics, trade shocks, or institutional crossroads. We call it The Tri-Vue:
What’s Happening? A sudden and steep tariff hike on our largest export category.
What’s Actually Going On? The US is recalibrating its alliances, prioritizing nations that offer reciprocal economic value and geopolitical alignment.
What’s the Move? Bangladesh must reposition itself—not as a vulnerable exporter, but as a valuable partner in agriculture, energy, infrastructure, and investment.
This isn’t about pleading for relief. It’s about offering strategic alignment that directly benefits American farmers, workers, investors, and policymakers.
US Bangladesh Unity Initiative (UBUI) Recommendation: The Six Pillars of Strategic Realignment
The following recommended initiatives are grounded in robust data, proven trade flows, and a clear feasibility assessment across economic, political, and executional dimensions.
1. Expand US Agricultural Imports
In 2024, Bangladesh imported over $340 million in US cotton and nearly $325 million in soy and wheat. By reallocating import tenders and signing new government-to-government (G2G) MoUs, we can increase volumes while appealing to America’s rural political base.
Target: 25% increase in US agri imports within 18 months.
2. Lock in Long-Term LNG Contracts
US energy exporters are eager for long-term partners. Bangladesh’s energy demand is growing at nearly 10% annually. By securing 15–20 year contracts with firms like Argent LNG and offering co-investment in terminal infrastructure, we tie our growth to theirs.
Target: $5B in US LNG deals; one joint terminal announced by 2026.
3. Offer US Equity in Infrastructure Projects
Bangladesh needs over $320 billion in infrastructure by 2041. Offering US private equity minority stakes—under clear governance rules—will bring capital, confidence, and constituency support for our exports on Capitol Hill.
Target: Two US firms invested; key tax reforms enacted by 2025.
4. Launch a Bangladesh Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF)
A climate- and youth-focused SWF co-managed with US asset managers could anchor long-term financial integration. Structured properly, it will not only draw Wall Street interest but also signal institutional maturity.
Target: $2B AUM by 2027; SWF legislation passed in Parliament.
5. Facilitate US Private Equity in Healthcare
The Evercare network shows Bangladesh can deliver on high-standard, foreign-funded healthcare. Opening up further—through joint ventures and targeted reforms—will attract US capital and tech partnerships.
Target: Two PE deals; one JV hospital operational by 2026.
6. Trade Automotive Investment for Tariff Relief
A US car assembly plant in Bangladesh may sound ambitious—but Vietnam did it. Bangladesh’s labor costs, demographic dividend, and strategic location offer real advantages. Start with parts, grow to full assembly, and tie it to a tariff agreement.
Target: LOI signed with one US automaker; feasibility roadmap completed by 2026.
From Policy to Execution: Five Immediate Actions
UBUI urges the Government of Bangladesh to move from concept to execution—starting with five bold steps:
1. Appoint a Chief Trade Negotiator with deep US policy experience to lead all bilateral talks.
2. Launch the Bangladesh Tariff Waiver Protocol (BTWP) through USTR and the White House Trade Council.
3. Establish a Tariff Response War Room under the Chief Adviser’s Office to coordinate policy, track KPIs, and drive diplomatic follow-through.
4. Host High-Level Investment Summits in Washington and New York to present the Six Pillars directly to US stakeholders.
5. Create a Full-Time Embassy Liaison Cell in DC to maintain coordination with USTR, the Department of Commerce, US business lobbies, and think tanks.
This pivot will not go unnoticed in Beijing or New Delhi. As Bangladesh deepens its US alignment, it gains leverage in a region where economic diplomacy often comes with strings. A stronger US relationship doesn’t diminish our sovereignty—it strengthens it.
Why This Moment Matters
Because we are not just defending a garment tariff—we are defining our global posture.
Because the world is choosing sides—and Bangladesh must choose to matter.
Because this moment is not just about trade. It is about dignity, direction, and destiny.
We’ve shown the world we can deliver—with Japan, with Chevron, with Evercare. Now, let’s show we can lead.
If we act with purpose, the next 36 months could redefine Bangladesh’s standing in global commerce and diplomacy. We can turn tariff threats into trade trust, convert policy shocks into investment flows, and build not just resilience—but relevance.
Let the world know:
Bangladesh is not asking for special treatment. We are offering strategic alignment.
Now is not the time to wait. Now is the time to lead.
- Mohammed Mia is a founding board director of UBUI, a civic organizer, political strategist, and investment executive. He has led diaspora mobilization and national campaign strategy, and held senior roles at Citi Group, OIC, and Uniper. His work focuses on advancing economic empowerment and strengthening US-Bangladesh partnerships.
- Shah Choudhury is a founding board director of UBUI, a SaaS and AI monetization strategist, and currently serves as Director of Corporate Strategy at Salesforce. He specializes in tech growth strategy and has worked across multiple Fortune 500 companies—including Chevron and Schlumberger—as well as the global strategy consultancy Simon-Kucher.
