Bangladesh’s garment workers are rallying against US President Donald Trump’s proposed 37% tariff on their products, warning it could devastate the industry that employs over 4 million workers, mostly rural women.
The National Garment Workers Federation (NGWF) led protests in Dhaka, arguing that while Trump maintained or lowered tariffs for 63 other countries, including EU nations and competing exporters like Turkey and Mexico, Bangladesh faces a potentially crippling increase from the current 10% rate.
Union leaders described the policy as a “death trap” for the sector, which accounts for 84% of Bangladesh’s exports. The NGWF plans to submit a memorandum to the US Embassy demanding duty-free access to US markets, emphasising that the tariff threatens not just the economy but also women’s empowerment in Bangladesh
