"Trump's tariff policy a 'death trap' for RMG industry: NGWF", 28 June 2025

Terming Donald Trump's tariff policy a 'death trap' for Bangladesh's garment industry and its workers, a local labour rights group has demanded duty-free and quota-free access for Bangladeshi garment products to the US market.

The National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) made the demand at a human chain in front of the National Press Club...

Speakers at the human chain said that the garment industry is a key industrial sector for Bangladesh...

They mentioned that the United States is the largest apparel export market for Bangladesh. Currently, the country is imposing an average 10 per cent tariff while importing apparel items from Bangladesh. Last April, US President Donald Trump imposed a 37 per cent tariff on Bangladeshi RMG products. Later, he suspended it for three months following an appeal made by the Bangladesh government.

"The three months suspension period is almost over and the US tariff policy on Bangladesh's apparel products is still unclear," they said...

Despite the fact, the US administration has imposed a tariff of 37 per cent for a poor country like Bangladesh. This high tariff is extremely inconsiderate, inhumane, and an obstacle to women's liberation.

They claimed that if this tariff is implemented, it will stall the liberation of women in Bangladesh and jolt the local garment industry...