Washington, D.C., Clear Skies Magazine: Jordan and the United States on Tuesday signed a Reciprocal Trade Agreement aimed at strengthening bilateral economic ties and expanding market access for exporters in both countries.
The agreement was signed in Washington by Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Yarub Qudah, and United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer after nearly a year of consultations. It builds on the long-standing economic partnership between the two nations, including the US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement that came into force on December 17, 2001.
The new pact is designed to facilitate trade by increasing Jordanian exports to the United States, particularly in the ready-made garments and textile sectors, while improving access for American products, including agricultural goods and motor vehicles, to the Jordanian market.
Under the agreement, the United States has committed to capping reciprocal tariffs on Jordanian imports at 10 percent and extending enhanced preferential market access to all segments of Jordan’s textile and apparel industry. The move is expected to further boost Jordanian exports to the US, which totaled JOD 595 million during the first four months of the year, led by garments, textiles, jewelry, machinery, electrical equipment, and pharmaceutical products.
In return, Jordan will continue providing duty-free access for US exports under the framework of the 2001 Free Trade Agreement. The agreement also introduces measures to facilitate trade through stronger enforcement of environmental and labor standards, enhanced intellectual property protection, fair trade practices, modernized customs procedures, and the removal of non-tariff barriers.
The trade pact further reflects the growing economic cooperation between Jordan and the United States, following several major commercial agreements in recent years. These include Royal Jordanian Airlines’ $1.4 billion purchase of six Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft and $500 million in long-term aircraft leasing agreements, Hikma Pharmaceuticals’ commitment to invest $1 billion in the United States by 2030, and Jordanian companies’ agreements to purchase more than $300 million worth of American raw materials annually.
Officials said the agreement is expected to deepen bilateral trade, support investment, and create new opportunities for businesses in both countries while reinforcing their long-standing strategic economic partnership.