He explained that the clothing and knitwear sector has received full zero treatment, along with a number of key commodities such as medicines, fertilizers, and phosphates, which gives Jordanian products a clear advantage compared to many competing countries.
He added that the new agreement is not a substitute for the Jordanian-American Free Trade Agreement, but comes within its framework and is based on its provisions, stressing that the agreement remains in force and constitutes the basis on which trade relations between the two countries are regulated.
He explained that the duties announced by the United States are additional duties imposed on top of the basic customs duties applied to other countries, while Jordan continues to benefit from the exemptions granted under the Free Trade Agreement, which enhances the comparative advantage of national exports.
He pointed out that the government began negotiating with the American side immediately after the announcement of the new tariff orientations, and engaged in a series of intensive meetings and negotiation rounds that lasted several months, with the aim of protecting Jordanian economic interests and maintaining the competitiveness of national products in the American market.
He explained that the negotiations took place in the context of rapid changes in the file, which included successive American decisions and procedures and legal and regulatory developments related to the mechanisms of imposing duties, which necessitated adopting a flexible negotiation approach focusing on achieving the greatest possible gains and minimizing the potential impact on Jordanian exports.
Al-Qudah confirmed that the clothing and knitwear sector is one of the main beneficiaries of the agreement, as it has maintained full exemption from additional duties, while exports of a number of competing countries have become subject to new duties, which increases the competitiveness of the Jordanian product and enhances its chances of increasing its share in the American market.
He added that the positive impact of the agreement is not limited to the clothing sector, but also includes other industrial and export sectors that have managed to maintain their preferential advantages, which supports national exports and enhances opportunities for growth and expansion in foreign markets.
He stressed that the government will continue to work in partnership with the private sector to benefit from these gains and build on them, in a way that contributes to increasing national exports, attracting investments, and enhancing economic growth in the coming phase.
