Zakir Hossain / Dhaka
Bangladesh has appointed Tareq Md Ariful Islam as its new ambassador to the United States, while Washington has nominated Brent Christensen as its next envoy to Dhaka, moves that come as both sides look to reset relations strained by trade disputes.
Ariful, a career diplomat from the 17th Bangladesh Civil Services (Foreign Affairs) cadre, was Bangladesh’s Permanent Representative to the UN Offices in Geneva since June 2024 and earlier served as envoy to Sri Lanka. He also held senior positions at the UN Mission in New York and in Kolkata. At the foreign ministry, he led the South Asia Wing and worked in the Foreign Minister’s and Foreign Secretary’s offices. He holds degrees from BUET and Monash University. The Washington post had been vacant since Asad Alam Siam became Foreign Secretary.
Christensen, a senior Foreign Service officer with the rank of counsellor, awaits Senate confirmation. He previously served in Dhaka as counsellor for political and economic affairs (2019–21) and was Bangladesh Country Officer in the State Department. Currently performing the duties of under-secretary for Arms Control and International Security, he has also advised US Strategic Command and held senior roles in Washington and postings in Manila, Riyadh, San Salvador and Ho Chi Minh City. He is a National War College graduate and speaks several languages.
His nomination comes as Dhaka negotiates with Washington to ease tariffs on its exports. Under Trump’s new framework, Bangladesh initially faced a 37% duty, later reduced to 20% in August after it agreed to buy more US goods. Dhaka now seeks a further cut to 15%.