Dhaka, July 21 -- Bangladesh's apparel apex body unveils move to hire US lobbyists to leapfrog retaliatory tariffs as business leaders, economists and experts take exception to interim government's handling of the staggering negotiations with the United States.

Addressing a roundtable discussion titled 'US Reciprocal Tariffs: Where is Bangladesh heading to?', organised by vernacular daily Prothom Alo in a Dhaka hotel Sunday, the critics also forewarned that the economy would be hit hard if quick measures could not be taken to head off the oncoming headwinds.

Distinguished fellow of the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) Dr Debapriya Bhattacharya criticised the government handling of the issue, euphemistically describing the administration...