Jordan negotiations with US resulted in 15% tariffs: trade minister

Jordan’s Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply Yarab Qudah told Roya Sunday that negotiations with the Donald Trump administration resulted in Jordan receiving the lowest possible tariff rate of 15%

Trump decided on April 2 to impose additional customs tariffs on several countries, including Jordan, as part of a new policy based on each country's trade balance with the United States.

High tariffs are imposed on countries with a trade surplus with the US, while countries with a trade deficit (with the US) face tariffs of 10% to 15%.

Qudah said that several countries, including Jordan, entered into negotiations with the United States.

Last week, a decision was reached to impose tariffs ranging from 15% to 40%, with Jordan receiving the lowest rate of 15% under this formula, according to Qudah.

The minister noted that these new tariffs are fixed and apply to all export sectors to the US market.

He added that Jordan benefits from a free trade agreement with the US, meaning the additional 15% is added to a previous tariff of 0%.

Qudah asserted that Jordan has maintained its competitive edge in many sectors, especially since the countries that compete with Jordan in the US market were subjected to higher tariffs. This, he said, enhances Jordan's attractiveness for investment in these sectors.

He pointed out that 95% of Jordan's exports to the US are concentrated in four key sectors: textiles and clothing, jewelry, fertilizers, and pharmaceuticals.

He noted that the tariffs imposed on Jordan are lower than those placed on its competitors in these sectors.

The minister stated that direct negotiations are ongoing with the US side without a specific timeline or obligations on Jordan.