DHAKA: Bangladesh and the United States discussed ways to increase US investment, expand bilateral trade and create a more business-friendly environment during a meeting between Commerce Minister Khandker Abdul Muktadir and US Ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T. Christensen. The meeting was held Monday at the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) office in Dhaka. The two sides discussed expanding bilateral trade, cooperation in the energy sector and recent policy reforms, according to information released following the meeting.

US ambassador stresses transparency in major projects

During the meeting, Ambassador Christensen highlighted the importance of maintaining a transparent and competitive environment for major infrastructure projects. Speaking about a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal, or FSRU project, the ambassador said greater transparency and open competition would help strengthen the confidence of foreign investors.

He also said US companies are interested in working in Bangladesh and emphasized the importance of ensuring fair opportunities for competition. Commerce Minister Khandker Abdul Muktadir welcomed US investors and said proposals from US companies demonstrating the ability to deliver an FSRU within the shortest possible timeframe would receive priority consideration.

Import policy also discussed

The meeting also covered Bangladesh’s new import policy. The US ambassador welcomed several positive changes in the new policy but said some provisions could be made more business-friendly. The commerce minister said the import policy is an ongoing process and that necessary reforms are being reviewed regularly in line with market conditions and economic realities.

The two sides also discussed the removal of an earlier requirement for foreign companies to appoint local agents when purchasing strategic equipment. The minister said allowing direct engagement with manufacturers has improved transparency in the procurement process and reduced the influence of intermediaries.

Energy cooperation

Energy cooperation was another key issue discussed at the meeting. Ambassador Christensen described Bangladesh’s agreement with international energy supplier Gunvor as a positive development. The commerce minister said the government would continue to give the highest priority to protecting Bangladesh’s national interests in all such arrangements.

Officials from Bangladesh’s Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Commerce and the US Embassy also attended the meeting. Both sides expressed hope that regular discussions would help further strengthen the commercial relationship between Bangladesh and the United States.

WASHINGTON DC — The United States and Iran exchanged attacks around the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz, sharply escalating tensions after the U.S. military struck three Iranian oil tankers following Iranian missile attacks on American Navy vessels.

The U.S. Central Command said American forces targeted three Iranian crude-oil carriers on Saturday after Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps launched ballistic missiles toward two U.S. Navy ships. No American personnel were reported injured in the attacks.

The strikes targeted vessels including a tanker near Iran’s Kharg Island, a major hub for the country’s oil exports. The escalation has raised fresh concerns about the security of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important energy corridors.

Iran subsequently claimed that its forces struck an unmanned U.S. vessel attempting to enter the Strait of Hormuz. The United States had not immediately confirmed the Iranian claim, according to The Associated Press.

Iranian authorities have also threatened further action against vessels they consider to be using unauthorized routes in the region. The exchange of attacks comes as military tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to intensify following the collapse of an earlier ceasefire.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical global energy chokepoint, and disruption there could have consequences far beyond the Middle East. Shipping traffic through the waterway has already fallen significantly amid the conflict, while oil markets remain highly sensitive to developments in the region.

The latest confrontation also comes as OPEC+ prepares to meet Sunday. The group is expected to maintain its current oil-production policy amid continuing disruption to energy exports through the Strait of Hormuz.

The situation remains fluid, with both sides issuing competing claims about attacks on vessels. Independent confirmation of some Iranian military claims was not immediately available.

DHAKA – President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir today urged the United States to simplify its visa processing procedures for Bangladeshi tourists and business people to facilitate people-to-people and business ties between the two countries. The President made the call when US ambassador to Bangladesh Brent T Christenen paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this morning.

During the meeting, the US envoy congratulated the President on his assumption of office as the President of Bangladesh. Recalling the past US investment and cooperation in the country’s agricultural development, the President called for further US investment and cooperation in the country’s development sector.

He also referred to Chevron’s investment and important role in the development of the country’s energy sector and urged increased US investment in Bangladesh’s energy, information technology, infrastructure, and health and high-tech industries sectors. The President also sought US cooperation in ensuring the safe, dignified and sustainable repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland.

Thanking the US ambassador, the President said, “The United States is one of the Bangladesh’s important development partners. The existing trade relations with the US are playing an important role in Bangladesh’s economic development.”

On international relations, the President said, “Bangladesh attaches the highest importance to the principles of independence, sovereignty, national interest, mutual respect and equality in its international relations.”

He expressed the hope that bilateral relations and trade agreements with the United States would be further expanded in the days to come through mutual respect while protecting common interests. Referring to the recent bilateral trade agreements with US, the President said, “This is an important development in expanding the trade relations between the two countries.”

“There is a scope to make the agreement more balanced and mutually beneficial, taking into consideration the economic realities and interests of both the countries,” he added.

The ambassador assured that the US would continue its cooperation with Bangladesh and stressed the importance of strengthening cooperation with ASEAN countries. He also reiterated his US’s interest in further deepening and diversifying relations with Bangladesh. Military secretary to the President and Press Secretary and senior officials were present during the meeting.

Shibbir Ahmed, Washington DC: CIA Director John Ratcliffe traveled to Moscow on Tuesday for meetings with Russian officials, according to U.S. media reports citing people familiar with the trip. The visit was not publicly announced, and the CIA and Kremlin have not disclosed who Ratcliffe met or what was discussed.

Ratcliffe’s trip marks the first known visit to Moscow by a U.S. CIA director since William Burns traveled there in November 2021, when Burns met Russian President Vladimir Putin amid growing tensions over Ukraine. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine several months later.

The unusual trip became public after a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster III was tracked flying from the United States through Latvia and then to Moscow. A U.S. diplomatic motorcade was also seen in the Russian capital.

The purpose of Ratcliffe’s visit remains unclear. It comes as U.S.-mediated efforts to end Russia’s war in Ukraine remain stalled, while Washington is also dealing with heightened tensions involving Russia and Iran. U.S. officials reportedly asked Ukraine to avoid certain strikes on Russian territory while the American delegation was in Moscow, according to reports cited by U.S. media.

Ratcliffe has previously been involved in sensitive U.S.-Russia contacts, including negotiations connected to prisoner and detainee exchanges. His Moscow visit therefore raises questions about whether the discussions could involve Ukraine, detainees, Russia-Iran relations, or broader U.S.-Russia security issues. However, there is currently no official confirmation of the agenda.

The Kremlin has not publicly confirmed a meeting with Ratcliffe, and U.S. officials have declined to comment on the reported visit.

The development is likely to draw significant international attention because it represents an unusually high-level U.S. engagement with Moscow at a time when relations remain deeply strained and the Ukraine peace process is uncertain.

Shibbir Ahmed, New York: Canada is escalating its trade fight with the United States, announcing new retaliatory tariffs of up to 50 percent on hundreds of American products as tensions between the two longtime allies continue to worsen.

The Canadian government said Tuesday that the new measures will target approximately $20 billion worth of U.S. imports and will take effect on September 8. The tariffs are being imposed in response to new U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods that took effect after trade negotiations between the two countries broke down.

The Canadian counter-tariffs will range from 15 percent to 50 percent, depending on the product. Items affected include steel, aluminum, dairy products, seafood, furniture, clothing, electronics, machinery and other American-made goods.

Canada strikes back

The move represents a significant escalation in the dispute between Washington and Ottawa. The United States recently imposed a 50 percent tariff on $27.6 billion of Canadian goods, effective August 22. Canada said its response was designed to match the value of the new American measures while protecting Canadian businesses and workers.

Canadian Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne said the government is taking targeted action while providing support to companies and workers affected by the trade conflict. Canada has also announced measures to help businesses maintain liquidity and adjust to the changing trade environment.

Hundreds of U.S. products targeted

According to the Canadian government, the new tariffs will cover products selected from categories targeted by recent U.S. trade measures. The rates will be 15 percent, 25 percent or 50 percent, depending on the product. The measures are expected to affect about 4.5 percent of Canada’s imports from the United States, based on 2024 trade figures.

Canadian officials say the government wants to protect domestic industries while keeping pressure on Washington to reconsider its tariff policies. The government has also introduced a support package for Canadian businesses and workers affected by the dispute, including financial assistance intended to help companies manage higher costs and disruptions to supply chains.

Growing economic pressure

The escalating tariff battle threatens to raise costs for businesses and consumers on both sides of the border. American industries that rely heavily on the Canadian market could face reduced exports, while Canadian companies dependent on U.S. goods may encounter higher costs. Economists have also warned that prolonged tariffs could disrupt North American supply chains and increase prices.

The dispute is particularly significant because Canada and the United States maintain one of the world’s largest bilateral trading relationships. The latest escalation comes as President Donald Trump continues to criticize Canada over trade and other political issues. Trump has also threatened additional tariffs on Canadian automobiles, adding to uncertainty for manufacturers and workers on both sides of the border.

Relations reach a new low

The latest tariff measures come after negotiations between Washington and Ottawa failed to produce an agreement. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated that Canada remains willing to return to negotiations, but Ottawa has also made clear that it is prepared to defend Canadian economic interests.

The worsening dispute has created uncertainty for businesses, farmers, manufacturers and exporters throughout North America. With Canada’s new tariffs scheduled to take effect September 8, pressure is now building on both governments to find a way to prevent the trade conflict from becoming even more damaging. The latest measures mark another major step in the deepening U.S.-Canada trade dispute and raise fresh concerns about prices, jobs and supply chains across North America.