Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) has initiated efforts to hire US lobbyists to help remove retaliatory tariffs imposed by the United States, amid widespread criticism of the government’s poor handling of trade negotiations.
At a roundtable titled “US Reciprocal Tariffs: Where is Bangladesh heading to?”, economists and business leaders voiced alarm over the looming trade crisis. Dr. Debapriya Bhattacharya of CPD condemned the interim government’s weak and naive approach, warning that its lack of coordination, legitimacy, and exclusion of experts could severely hurt the economy. He stressed the issue extends beyond economics into geopolitics and criticized the secrecy surrounding negotiations.
Business leader A.K. Azad described the current export crisis as unprecedented in his 40-year career and warned of major international buyer uncertainty. He shared that some buyers are threatening to impose 35% duties unless the tariff issue is resolved soon.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan revealed that lobbying efforts in the US began only recently, but progress is slow due to firms already working for other countries. He acknowledged missed opportunities and internal resistance within BGMEA about pursuing late-stage lobbying.
Khan added that 100 out of BGMEA’s 1,322 US-exporting factories are highly dependent on the US market, making the sector particularly vulnerable. With profit margins as low as 1.2–1.5%, the added tariffs could be devastating, especially if competitors like India or Vietnam face lighter penalties. The speakers called for urgent structural reforms, expert-led negotiations, and a clear strategic vision to safeguard Bangladesh’s global trade position.
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