Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Dr Muhammad Yunus, said that even if Donald Trump assumes office as the US President, there is unlikely to be any significant shift in US foreign policy toward Bangladesh. Yunus also clarified that he has no personal issues with Trump.
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera, broadcast on Sunday (November 17), Yunus addressed various topics, including US-Bangladesh relations. The interview was conducted during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
When asked about Trump’s pre-election social media posts alleging minority persecution in Bangladesh,. Yunus dismissed the claims as baseless propaganda.
He told Talk to Al Jazeera host Nick Clark, “Unfortunately, much of this propaganda originates from India, likely to sustain regional tensions. In reality, such allegations hold no truth.”
Regarding future relations with the Trump administration, Yunus said, “I have never interacted with Trump personally, so I have no issues with him. Politically, I have friends in both the Republican and Democratic parties. When the US House of Representatives awarded me the Congressional Gold Medal, it had bipartisan support. I don’t foresee any sudden challenges emerging from Trump’s presidency.”
Yunus expressed confidence in the stability of US foreign policy, noting, “US foreign policy is generally consistent, regardless of who occupies the presidency. I believe this continuity will ensure a balanced approach toward this region.”
The remarks come amidst speculation about the potential impact of Trump’s presidency on international relations and regional dynamics.