Amman: The newly signed Reciprocal Trade Agreement between Jordan and the United States marks a significant step in strengthening bilateral economic ties beyond tariff adjustments, creating new opportunities for trade, investment, and long-term business partnerships, according to the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan), Samer Judeh.
According to Jordan News Agency, Judeh remarked that the agreement builds on the two countries' longstanding economic partnership by expanding frameworks for trade and investment. This move is set to create new opportunities for Jordanian and US companies and strengthen cooperation in services, digital trade, innovation, and supply chains. Judeh emphasized that the agreement goes beyond improving market access by instilling greater confidence in the business community to establish long-term commercial partnerships, explore new investment opportunities, and expand operations in both markets.
On its future vision, Judeh stated that AmCham looks forward to collaborating with public and private sector partners to translate the agreement into tangible opportunities for economic growth, investment, job creation, and higher bilateral trade. He noted that the agreement builds on the Jordan-US Free Trade Agreement, which entered into force in 2001 after Jordan became the first Arab country to sign such a pact with the United States.
The new agreement is designed to benefit both countries by facilitating Jordanian exports and the entry of US products, technology, and expertise into Jordan. It also encourages American companies to invest locally and partner with Jordanian businesses to expand into regional markets, as well as supporting Jordanian companies seeking to establish a commercial presence in the United States.
Jordan's exports to the United States approximately reached $3 billion in 2025, while imports totaled about $2 billion, reflecting the depth of bilateral economic interests and the importance of maintaining a clear and predictable framework for businesses and investors. Judeh called for expanding the number of sectors and companies benefiting from the agreement, emphasizing that its success should be measured not by tariff rates alone but by the volume of new trade it generates across all sectors.
The agreement is projected to streamline the movement of goods between the two countries, supporting increased Jordanian exports to the US market, including apparel and garments, while easing access for American products, including agricultural goods and vehicles, to Jordan. Under the agreement, the United States will cut reciprocal tariffs on Jordanian goods to 10 percent and grant the apparel and garments sector more preferential access to the US market. Jordan will continue providing tariff exemptions for US exports under the 2001 Free Trade Agreement.
Moreover, the agreement features measures to facilitate bilateral trade by enforcing environmental laws, protecting labor rights, launching stronger intellectual property safeguards, ensuring fair trade practices, improving customs procedures, removing trade barriers, and enhancing market access for US goods.