Minister of Industry, Trade, and Supply, Yarub Qudah, stated on Friday that Jordan has recently engaged in negotiations with the United States, resulting in the country receiving the lowest customs tariff increase among nations that have free trade agreements with the U.S. or those with a trade surplus.
اضافة اعلان
Speaking to Al-Mamlaka TV, Qudah explained that the additional U.S. tariffs have, in fact, granted Jordan a competitive advantage. He noted that when a 15% tariff is imposed on Jordan while higher rates are applied to competing countries in the U.S. market, this enhances the competitiveness of Jordanian products compared to previous conditions.
He emphasized that the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Jordan and the U.S. remains in effect and is the basis for this preferential treatment. While most countries saw new tariffs ranging between 15% and 40%, Jordan received the lowest rate.
Qudah clarified that these new tariffs are added to the original tariff rates in place prior to the decision. Previously, Jordan faced a 0% tariff, which has now risen to 15%. In contrast, for other countries, the new tariffs are added on top of existing ones—creating a clear and positive difference in favor of Jordan across various sectors and boosting its competitive capacity.
A government source also stated that Jordan secured the lowest additional customs tariff among countries with a trade surplus with the United States, thus preserving the competitiveness of Jordanian exports in the American market.
The source explained that after months of intensive negotiations between Jordan and the U.S., the additional tariffs on Jordanian exports were reduced to 15%, reflecting the strength of the economic partnership between the two nations.
He added that Jordan benefits from an added advantage over other countries with trade surpluses with the U.S., thanks to the FTA. This means that Jordanian exports will only be subject to the new 15% tariff (having previously been exempt), unlike other countries which will bear the new tariffs in addition to existing ones.
