Trump Acted Like a ‘Salesman’ Over Boeing Deal, Says Bangladesh Aviation Expert

Dhaka: US President Donald Trump appeared to act more like a “salesman” than a head of state while pushing Bangladesh towards a major Boeing aircraft purchase, a Bangladeshi aviation expert has said, highlighting the political and commercial dimensions of the deal.

The comments come after Bangladesh's decision to expand its commitment to US aircraft manufacturer Boeing, with the country's national carrier Biman Bangladesh Airlines already having signed an agreement to purchase 14 aircraft for around $3.7 billion.

The deal covers 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and four Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The aircraft are scheduled to be delivered in stages between 2031 and 2035.

Trump's role in the Boeing push

Trump has repeatedly used his presidency to promote US-made products in international negotiations, and Boeing has become a prominent part of that approach.

The latest Boeing commitment has drawn particular attention because Bangladesh had previously been considering aircraft from European manufacturer Airbus. Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat said Bangladesh was buying Boeing aircraft in line with Trump's wishes, while also indicating that the country could purchase Airbus planes in the future.

The minister's comments have added to questions about how much of the aircraft purchase was driven by commercial considerations and how much was influenced by broader US-Bangladesh economic relations.

Bangladesh's Boeing order

Biman Bangladesh Airlines formally signed the agreement with Boeing in April for 14 aircraft. The carrier described the purchase as part of its effort to expand its fleet, improve international connectivity and strengthen its position in the global aviation market.

The order consists of:

• 10 Boeing 787 Dreamliners

• 4 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft

• Estimated value: $3.7 billion

• Planned deliveries: 2031-2035

The agreement represents one of the largest commercial aircraft purchases in Bangladesh's history.

Additional Boeing purchases reportedly discussed

The latest developments suggest that Bangladesh's Boeing commitment could extend beyond the original 14-aircraft order.

US special envoy Sergio Gor recently said Bangladesh had committed billions of dollars to purchase additional Boeing aircraft, describing the agreement between Trump and Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman as an “incredible deal”. Reports said the new commitment significantly increased Bangladesh's initial order.

The development has intensified debate over the country's fleet strategy, particularly because Biman had also been considering Airbus aircraft.

Trade and aviation policy intertwined

The Boeing deal has emerged against the backdrop of broader economic negotiations between Washington and Dhaka.

Bangladesh and the United States signed a reciprocal trade agreement in February that included provisions affecting tariffs and trade. Bangladesh secured a reduced US tariff rate of 19%, alongside exemptions for certain textile and apparel products using US-produced materials.

Against this backdrop, the decision to buy more American aircraft has inevitably attracted political scrutiny.

Critics have questioned whether Bangladesh's aircraft procurement decisions should be determined primarily by commercial and operational requirements or whether broader diplomatic and trade considerations are influencing the process.

Boeing versus Airbus

The debate also reflects a wider choice facing Biman Bangladesh Airlines.

Airbus and Boeing dominate the global commercial aircraft market, and airlines typically assess aircraft purchases based on factors including acquisition cost, fuel efficiency, maintenance requirements, pilot training, fleet commonality and long-term operating economics.

Biman's decision to purchase Boeing aircraft therefore carries consequences well beyond the initial purchase price. The choice will shape the airline's fleet composition and operational costs for decades.

For now, Bangladesh's government has signalled that the Boeing purchase will go ahead while keeping the possibility of Airbus acquisitions open.

The aviation expert's “salesman” remark has nevertheless brought a political dimension of the deal into sharper focus — particularly over the extent to which Trump's commercial diplomacy influenced Bangladesh's aircraft procurement strategy.