Al-Qudah: More Than 60% of Jordanian Exports to the US Receive Zero-Tariff Treatment
Al-Taj News – Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Eng. Yarub Al-Qudah confirmed that Jordan has succeeded in reaching understandings with the United States of America that ensure more than 60 percent of Jordanian exports to the US market remain subject to zero-tariff treatment, with an additional tariff of only 10 percent imposed on the remaining exports.
Al-Qudah said during the regular morning business meeting organized by the Jordanian Businessmen Association yesterday, Monday, that this rate is among the lowest rates applied under the new US measures, and that the agreement reached with the United States preserves the competitive advantages of Jordanian exports and enhances their ability to compete in the US market.
He explained that the clothing and knitwear sector received full zero-tariff treatment, along with a number of key commodities such as medicines, fertilizers, and phosphate, giving Jordanian products a clear advantage compared with many competing countries.
He added that the new agreement does not constitute an alternative to the Jordan-US Free Trade Agreement, but rather comes within its framework and is based on its provisions, stressing that the agreement remains in force and effective and constitutes the basis under which trade relations between the two countries are regulated.
He explained that the tariffs announced by the United States are additional tariffs imposed on top of the basic customs duties applicable to other countries, while Jordan continues to benefit from the exemptions granted under the Free Trade Agreement, which strengthens the comparative advantage of national exports.
He noted that the government began negotiations with the US side immediately after the announcement of the new tariff policies, and held a series of intensive meetings and negotiating rounds that continued for several months, with the aim of protecting Jordan’s economic interests and maintaining the competitiveness of national products in the US market.
He said that the negotiations took place amid rapidly changing developments surrounding the issue, including successive US decisions and measures and legal and regulatory developments related to the mechanisms for imposing tariffs, which required adopting a flexible negotiating approach focused on achieving the greatest possible gains and minimizing potential impacts on Jordanian exports.
Al-Qudah confirmed that the clothing and knitwear sector is among the agreement’s most prominent beneficiaries, as it retained full exemption from additional tariffs at a time when exports from a number of competing countries have become subject to new tariffs, which increases the competitiveness of Jordanian products and enhances opportunities to increase their market share in the US market.
