Our ties with US span multiple spheres

Bangladesh is no longer a marginal, aid-dependent country. It has emerged as one of the world's fastest-growing economies and a an actor in the Indo-Pacific region. With its location on the Bay of Bengal, Dhaka matters to Washington not just as a garments hub but also as a partner in supply chains, climate resilience, and maritime security. Yet despite these converging interests, mistrust over democracy continues to cast a shadow, limiting what could become a stronger partnership.

Balancing friends and rivals:  Bangladesh has long practiced a careful balancing act. It has cooperated with the United States on counterterrorism and maritime security apart from other sectors. The 2024 U.S.-Bangladesh Security Dialogue reflected this dual reality: growing collaboration on one hand, but deep concern about sovereignty if Dhaka leans too far toward any single power.

Trade gains, hidden risks: The United States is Bangladesh's largest export destination. In FY 2022-23, Dhaka exported nearly USD 10 billion worth of goods to the U.S., about 85 percent of which were garments. This sector sustains millions of jobs, especially for women, but it also leaves the economy overexposed. A sudden downturn in American demand could ripple through families and communities almost overnight.

The answer lies in diversification. ICT exports have reached USD 1.9 billion, pharmaceuticals have passed USD 200 million, and agro-processing is gaining markets in the Middle East and Europe. But red tape, weak enforcement, and poor intellectual property protection continue to discourage investors. Without reforms, Bangladesh risks being stuck in the low-value garment trap instead of moving up the global value chain.

Governance and credibility: The sharpest fault line in bilateral ties lies in governance. In 2023, Washington imposed visa restrictions on individuals accused of undermining elections. Freedom House rated Bangladesh "Partly Free" (39/100), while Reporters Without Borders placed it 163rd of 180 on press freedom. Civil society has raised similar concerns.
Dhaka, however, argues that sovereignty and development must come first. For Washington, the paradox is clear: press too hard on democracy and risk alienating Bangladesh, or push too little and lose credibility. Bangladesh seeks recognition as a rising power, while the U.S. insists on accountability. Without patient dialogue, mistrust will linger.

People and climate: anchors of trust: Beyond politics, personal and societal ties steady the relationship. Nearly 250,000 Bangladeshis live in the United States, sending home around USD 3.5 billion in remittances every year. Education and cultural exchanges-Fulbright scholarships, Humphrey fellowships-have quietly nurtured reservoirs of goodwill that outlast political turbulence.

Climate cooperation is another strong anchor. Bangladesh faces existential threats from rising seas and cyclones. For Dhaka, adaptation is not a choice but survival. U.S. support for resilience and disaster preparedness-USD 200 million pledged through USAID in 2021-was not charity but foresight, since climate collapse in Bangladesh would disrupt supply chains and trigger migration. The country has also secured over USD 250 million from the Green Climate Fund. Expanding cooperation on maritime awareness, disaster response, and renewable energy shows how the partnership works best when it focuses on people and shared futures.

The way forward: Both sides must take decisive steps. Bangladesh should accelerate reforms, diversify beyond garments, and attract investment into ICT, pharmaceuticals, and agro-processing. Governance reforms are essential-not to please Washington but to strengthen Bangladesh's own competitiveness and global credibility.

The United States, meanwhile, must balance democracy promotion with diplomacy. Constructive engagement, not coercion, will build trust. Institutionalizing cooperation in climate, disaster management, and security would ensure that progress survives political cycles.

A pivotal partnership: Ultimately, U.S.-Bangladesh ties are driven more by convergence than conflict. Trade, climate, and security pull the two nations together, while governance challenges create friction. Goodwill alone cannot sustain the partnership; it requires reform, foresight, and above all, trust.

Handled wisely, this relationship can become more than transactional-it can serve as a strategic anchor in the Indo-Pacific. Bangladesh is not peripheral; it is pivotal. And how Washington engages Dhaka will help shape the region's future order.

The writer  is an entrepreneur