Will Pro-Democrat Yunus get a blank cheque from Republican President-Elect Trump?
Hussain Muhammad Imam
All eyes of the world were on November 5, ‘US election 2024’, and Former US President Donald J. Trump back to the White House with a landslide victory. Democrat President contender and US Vice President Kamala conceded the race and congratulated President-Elect Trump. Harris emphasized the significance of a peaceful transfer of power. Trump’s Campaign Communications Director, Steven Cheung, confirmed in a statement to Fox News, “President Trump acknowledged Vice President Harris on her strength, professionalism, and tenacity throughout the campaign, and both leaders agreed on the importance of unifying the country.”
The United States is a global leader, and its Presidential election might potentially affect ongoing conflict, war, peace, stability, world politics, trade, policy, geopolitics, and economic issues.
Global leaders across the world congratulated the US President-elect Donald Trump. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first to congratulate Trump and had a call with him. Modi expressed his satisfaction on the ‘X’ handle, “Heartiest congratulations, my friend Donald J. Trump, on your historic election victory. As you build on the successes of your previous term, I look forward to renewing our collaboration further to strengthen the India-US Comprehensive Global and Strategic Partnership. Together, let’s work for our people’s betterment and promote global peace, stability and prosperity.”
He also added, “I had a great conversation with my friend. I look forward to working together again to strengthen further India-US relations across technology, defense, energy, space, and several other sectors.”
In an early statement on November 6, Muhammad Yunus, the chief adviser to Bangladesh’s current interim administration, congratulated Donald Trump on his historic victory in the United States presidential election. Commentators and folks are surprised to see his major shift after Trump’s triumph.
He stated in his message, “I am delighted to convey, on behalf of the government and the people of Bangladesh, my heartfelt congratulations to you on your victory in the US Presidential Election 2024.”
He also added, “Electing you as the US President for a second term reflects that your leadership and vision have resonated with the people of the United States of America. I am confident that under your leadership, the United States will thrive and continue to inspire others worldwide.”
Yunus is also hopeful: “Aligning with our commitment to a peaceful and inclusive society, the government and the peace-loving people of Bangladesh look forward to partnering and collaborating in your efforts to address the global challenges in the pursuit of peace, harmony, stability, and prosperity for all.”
Professor Yunus is well known as a pro-Democrat, especially as a family friend of Clinton. Reviewed documents from the State Department and AP’s study revealed that Grameen America, the non-profit US flagship bank of Yunus, donated $100,000 to $250,000 to the Clinton Foundation. Becky Asch, a spokesperson for the bank, explained that this amount represented the institution’s yearly expenses to attend CGI meetings. Clinton’s also received a donation of $25,000 to $50,000 from Grameen Research in 2016 US presidential campaign.
Muhammad Yunus responded harshly with researchers and students at HEC Paris after Donald Trump was elected as President of the US in 2016, describing it as “a solar eclipse…black days, which must not destroy us and suck our spirit.”
He also continued, “Trump’s win has hit us so hard that this morning I could hardly speak. I lost all strength. Should I even come here? Of course, I should. We must not allow this lapse into depression; we will overcome these dark clouds.”
After the official introduction of a top delegation from Bangladesh, Trump questioned, “Where is the micro-finance guy from Dhaka?” according to Times Now writer Rishabh Madhavendra Pratap. During President Trump’s first term in office in 2019, a high-profile representative from Bangladesh paid a state visit to the White House.
“I heard he donated to see me lose,” he continued, referring to Muhammad Yunus, former chair of Grameen Bank, a community development bank specializing in microfinance in Bangladesh.
Yunus administration’s Law and Parliamentary Affairs adviser, Professor Asif Nazrul, also strongly criticized Trump’s unequivocal support of Israel’s atrocities in Gaza against Palestine on his ‘Facebook’ handle on May 18, 2018. He further mentioned, “The most powerful country’s leader Trump is an inhuman who will shed blood in Afghanistan and the middle east, and many Muslim rulers are sucking his feet.”
Trump made a statement on the oppression of minorities in Bangladesh under the Yunus administration on his ‘X’ handle just five days before the US presidential election. He put particular emphasis on Hindus in his condemnation of the atrocities as examples of “barbaric violence.” Bangladesh is in “a total state of chaos,” he stated, mentioning that minorities there are being targeted by mobs that plunder and assault them.
He expressed his strong commitment to protecting Hindus and other minorities worldwide with his good friend, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Under his administration, they will fight for minorities’ freedom and strengthen their great partnership.
The interim administration under Yunus wasn’t happy by Trump’s criticism and worried about its possible repercussions. Shafiqul Alam, press secretary to the chief adviser, addressed Trump’s stance on Hindus and the persecution of minorities. He claimed that Trump was misinformed by a lobbying outfit.
Two days before the US Presidential Election, Michael Kugelman, who is director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center, stated on Netra News, “But whereas the Yunus factor is an asset for US-Bangladesh relations today, it could become a liability if Trump returns to the presidency. Yunus criticized Trump’s 2016 election win, describing it as a “solar eclipse…which must not destroy us and suck our spirit.”
Professor Jeffery D. Sachs, a development economist in the United States, has stated on his website that there is strong evidence that the US helped bring down the administration of Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan, which raises the prospect that a comparable event occurred in Bangladesh. If their serious accusations against the US are true—as reported in international media—then the US’s actions would constitute a basic danger to world peace and regional security in South Asia; hence, the US should be examined by the UN.
Hasina, the former prime minister, has publicly and in parliament claimed that the US was responsible for her downfall. She alleged that the United States removed her from government for her refusal to grant them military bases in “Saint Martin Island” that the US considered pivotal to its “Indo-Pacific Strategy” to counter China.
According to Dr Sachs: “Like Imran Khan, PM Hasina had been pursuing a foreign policy of neutrality, including constructive relations not only with the U.S. but also with China and Russia, much to the deep consternation of the U.S. government.”
Hasina was ousted on August 5 this year, bringing Professor Yunus into power. Straight away, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated on his ‘X’ handle that they “stand ready to work” with Bangladesh’s interim government. The Biden administration has committed to providing technical support to carry out Yunus’s government reform agenda and has given post-Hasina Bangladesh top priority for assistance, including new development program and humanitarian aid. Conversely, Trump’s foreign policy is essentially grounded on reciprocity.
Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was accused, according to Resonant News, of illegally leveraging her official position against the Hasina government to support her close friend Muhammad Yunus.
According to Kugelman, both parties will pursue a strategic alliance with India, keep a friendly relationship with Pakistan, shorten ties with Afghanistan under Taliban leadership, and, more generally, aim to combat China in the area. Nonetheless, Bangladesh will be significantly impacted by the US election result. He also added that Yunus most likely won’t remain in office for a prolonged period.
Analysts, researchers, and commentators on International affairs have warned that pro-Democrat Yunus, especially Clinton’s family friend, won’t get a blank cheque from Republican President Trump and his potential administration.
EU Bureau Chief, The Voice