Bangladesh clothes sector hit by trade barriers, internal turmoil

Double-digit growth threatened by strikes, U.S. duties and India tensions

20250529 Bangladeshi garment workers at a factory in Bangladesh

Garment workers at a factory in Bangladesh: The ready-made garments sector accounts for about 80% of the country's exports and provides employment to millions of people. © Reuters

KANIZ FATIMA

May 30, 2025 12:13 JST

DHAKA -- Double-digit growth in Bangladesh's vital garments sector has put an unexpected gloss on an industry battling U.S. tariffs, Indian trade restrictions and continued domestic political upheaval -- a perfect storm of internal and external challenges that threatens to substantially crimp that expansion.