Dhaka, Feb. 22 -- The trade agreement Bangladesh signed with the United States after nine months of negotiation -- under the shadow of steep supplementary tariffs -- was meant to ease pressure on exports and steady a vital economic relationship.

Instead, it has opened a vigorous national debate.

Economists, business leaders and policymakers are now calculating its potential gains and losses -- scrutiny that intensified after a major development in Washington: the US Supreme Court struck down the "reciprocal tariffs" imposed by President Donald Trump on several countries.

Soon afterwards, Trump moved under a different law to impose a new tariff -- first 10 percent and then raising it to 15 percent within 24 hours -- triggering uncertain...