US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement

The United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement was signed on October 24, 2000. It was ratified by the United States House of Representatives on July 31,2001 by voice vote, and by voice vote in the United States Senate on December 7, 2001. President George W. Bush signed the United States-Jordan Free Trade Area Implementation Act into law on September 28, 2001. [http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2001/09/20010928-1.html] It was implemented by both countries on December 17, 2001.

Views in favor of the Jordan FTA

Unlike many trade agreements, the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement had widespread, bipartisan and multi-sectoral support, as evidenced by the support of the AFL-CIO and the pact's passage by voice vote. As with other trade agreements, proponents pointed to the reduction of customs duties and other barriers to trade as a boon to exports.

* [http://ustr.gov/Trade_Agreements/Bilateral/Jordan/Section_Index.html USTR Site on the Jordan FTA]

Labor rights issues under the Jordan FTA

In 2006, the National Labor Committee (a U.S.-based non-governmental organization) released a series of reports that showed a proliferation of sweatshop conditions in Jordan's export zones. Many members of the United States Congress reacted with concern, since the Jordan FTA was considered to have particularly strong labor rights provisions.

* [http://www.nlcnet.org/live/searchresults.php?country=Jordan National Labor Committee Country Site on Jordan]

Other references

* [http://www.opencrs.com/document/RL30652/ Congressional Research Service Report on Jordan FTA]
* [http://www.opencrs.com/document/RS20968/ Congressional Research Service Report on Jordan FTA and Labor Issues]
* [http://citizenstrade.org/jordan.php Citizens' Trade Campaign Site on Jordan FTA]