Features
Newly revealed contract between Starlink and Bangladesh shows how these deals are made.
In early April, U.S. President Donald Trump launched a salvo of international tariffs that rocked the global economy. Targeting countries from Mexico to Fiji, the announced tariffs led to a market crash while governments around the world jumped into action in attempts to forestall them.
Bangladesh, which sells vast amounts of garments and textiles to the U.S., was particularly threatened. It suddenly faced a 37% rate — one of the highest on the list.
On April 7, Muhammad Yunus, chief adviser of Bangladesh, sent Trump an urgent letter. He listed all the ways that his country was trying to comply with Trump’s agenda and asked him to delay tariffs. The note included a curious addition: “We have executed the necessary steps to launch Starlink in Bangladesh.”
