The American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan (AmCham-Jordan) held a panel on October 4 titled “Strengthening the Jordanian-American Economic Partnership.” It coincided with a visit to Amman and Aqaba by a US Chamber of Commerce trade delegation. Petra reported that public- and private-sector leaders, investors and economic officials discussed how the bilateral trade frameworks could translate into commercial opportunities. AmCham-Jordan Chair Samer Judeh highlighted the value of the United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement, which is more than two decades old, and described the Reciprocal Trade Agreement signed in July as another step in broadening economic cooperation. Judeh said the chamber remained focused on turning the frameworks into high-value commercial ventures.

US Ambassador to Jordan Jim Holtsnider discussed expanding opportunities for American companies in key sectors and said Jordan’s stability and strategic location made it a regional gateway. Khush Choksy, the US Chamber of Commerce’s senior vice president for international member relations, said the delegation visiting Amman and Aqaba included more than 35 companies and was the largest US trade mission to the Kingdom. He identified investment potential in energy, water, technology, engineering, transport, finance and healthcare. The panel was moderated by AmCham-Jordan CEO Raghad Khojah. Speakers included Citibank Jordan CEO Nour Jarrar, Classic Fashion Apparel Industry Chair Sanal Kumar, US Chamber of Commerce Vice President for the Middle East Jennifer Miel, International Finance Corporation Jordan office head Marcel Rashed, and Khaled Saqqaf, head of the Jordan office of Al Tamimi and Company.

Participants discussed ways to develop joint projects in digital technology, infrastructure, agribusiness and financial services. Petra said the conversation focused on practical matters including procurement procedures, market entry and identifying local partners. Those topics put implementation alongside the broader discussion of investment promotion: firms need to understand how to compete for projects, enter the market and find counterparties before trade rules can lead to commercial activity. The report did not announce a specific investment decision, signed contract or funding amount from the panel.

The two trade agreements have different legal timelines. The Office of the US Trade Representative says the original US-Jordan Free Trade Agreement entered into force on December 17, 2001, with duties eliminated on January 1, 2010. The White House text published in July describes the Reciprocal Trade Agreement as a supplement to that existing FTA. It refers to the FTA for Jordan’s customs duties on originating US goods, while treatment for Jordanian-origin goods in the United States is set out in Annex I of the newer agreement. The text also addresses technical standards, agriculture, digital trade and customs procedures. Its provisions, however, do not become operative until 60 days after both parties notify each other in writing that they have completed their respective internal procedures. The AmCham discussion therefore addressed the established FTA and a signed but not yet automatically operative newer agreement as separate parts of the commercial relationship.