Next Year Marked as ‘Turning Point’ in Jordan-US Trade Relations, Says Industry Minister

Amman: Minister of Industry, Trade and Supply, Ya'rub Qudah, announced that the year 2026 will be a "turning point" in Jordan-US trade relations. Qudah made these remarks while representing the Prime Minister at the annual ceremony organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan. The event focused on reviewing the achievements of 2025 under the theme "Connecting Businesses, Creating Opportunities, and Promoting Growth." According to Jordan News Agency, Qudah forecasted a notable enhancement in trade relations between Jordan and the United States in 2026, highlighting the expected growth in Jordan's imports and exports to the American market. He called for further strengthening bilateral economic cooperation, emphasizing the crucial role of the private sector in fostering sustainable growth and investment. Qudah underscored Jordan's commitment to trade agreements and praised the enduring partnership with the United States. He described this relationship as "strong, robust, and deep," with prospects o f continued collaboration across multiple sectors. The minister highlighted the transformation in trade figures, noting that Jordan's imports from the US were only $400 million before the Free Trade Agreement. In contrast, Jordanian exports to the US reached $3 billion last year, up from a mere $60 million prior to the agreement. Qudah pointed out a notable increase in Jordan's imports from the United States during the first nine months of this year. The imports' value surged to JD1.252 billion, compared to JD945 million for the same period in 2024. At the ceremony, attended by numerous guests, strategic partners, and member companies of the chamber, Qudah stated that the government is focusing on empowering the Jordanian private sector through its plans and decisions. The minister also emphasized that the importance of bilateral trade relations extends beyond Jordan and the United States. He highlighted joint opportunities within the region, particularly referring to the "tremendous" prospects in the recon struction of Syria. Qudah suggested the establishment of joint projects and envisioned Jordan as a hub for launching reconstruction initiatives in Syria.