Amman, July 23 (Petra) –The reciprocal trade agreement signed
between Jordan and the United States is expected to reinforce the
2001 Free Trade Agreement and support the Kingdom’s export sector
following recent changes to U.S. tariff rates, according to Chairman
of the Eastern Amman Investors Industrial Association (EAIIA) Iyad
Abu Haltam.

Speaking to the Jordan News Agency (Petra), Abu Haltam said the
agreement restores the tariff on Jordanian exports to 10 percent
after it had previously been raised to 20 percent and later reduced
to 15 percent. He said the arrangement provides Jordanian exports
with preferential treatment and simpler procedures, helping improve
their competitiveness in the U.S. market.

He noted that the United States is Jordan’s largest export
destination, accounting for more than 24 percent of the Kingdom’s
total exports. He said the agreement is expected to benefit several
export-oriented industries, including chemicals, food products,
engineering industries, electrical equipment, garments, and textiles.

Abu Haltam said the agreement could also encourage industrial
investment in Jordan, particularly from East Asian countries seeking
to access the U.S. market. He attributed this to Jordan’s tariff
advantages, competitive manufacturing costs, and shipping links
through the Port of Aqaba, where transit to the U.S. East Coast takes
about 21 days.

He added that the agreement supports intellectual property protection
and labor rights while giving Jordanian exports a competitive
advantage through one of the lowest tariff rates applied to goods
entering the U.S. market.

Abu Haltam said Jordan’s trade balance with the United States remains
in the Kingdom’s favor, with exports exceeding imports. He noted that
Jordan’s exports have diversified beyond garments and textiles to
include food products, chemicals, engineering goods, and jewelry,
broadening the range of sectors that stand to benefit from the
agreement.

He also said Jordanian products’ compliance with international
standards, competitive production costs, and delivery times
strengthen their position in the U.S. market. He also said the
agreement is expected to support additional industrial investment,
particularly in the garment and engineering sectors, and contribute
to greater diversification of exports to the United States.

According to Abu Haltam, the agreement marks an important development
in Jordan-U.S. trade relations and is expected to support national
exports, attract foreign direct investment, and contribute to
economic growth.

//Petra//WH