top of page

Jordan

US Revised Tariffs (%)

15

Ease of doing business

theboardiQ Tariffs Dashboard:

Powering Mutually Beneficial Global Trade.

 

Understand the complexities of international tariffs and ease of doing business across nations to cultivate balanced trade relationships, streamline operations, and deliver cost savings to end consumers.

david-whipple-mU-wz7JlJMc-unsplash_Ravid.jpg
Revised Tariff %
Original Tariff %
Country Tariff Rate %
Share of US Imports % (1 implies <1%)
15
20
3.2
1
Exports (in USD Bill.) 2024
Imports (in USD Bill.) 2024
Balance (in USD Bill.) 2024
2.03
3.36
-1.33

Implications

As of late January 2026, the trade relationship between the US and Jordan is navigating a complex period of protectionist pressures balanced against a deep strategic alliance. While the 2001 Free Trade Agreement (FTA) remains technically in force, recent "reciprocal" tariff policies have introduced significant friction for Jordanian exporters.


Latest US Tariffs Update (January 2026)


Following the US administration's shift toward trade protectionism in 2025, a 20% reciprocal tariff was applied to a wide range of Jordanian goods. However, recent developments in late 2025 and early 2026 show a "rolling back" of some freezes on financial aid and ongoing diplomatic discussions to mitigate these duties.


  • Current Status: A baseline 20% levy exists on many exports, though Jordanian officials have signaled that 2026 will be a "turning point" for a boost in bilateral trade as exemptions are negotiated.

  • Sector Focus: The garment and textile industry remains the most exposed, as it accounts for nearly 80% of Jordan's exports to the US.


Major Companies & Sectors Impacted


The impact is heavily concentrated in the Qualifying Industrial Zones (QIZs), which traditionally enjoy duty-free access to the US.


Sector

Impact Level

Key Entities/Details

Garments & Textiles

High

Includes major exporters like Classic Fashion Apparel and Hi-Tech Textile. Increased costs are leading to shift reductions and potential job losses for ~15,000 workers.

Phosphate & Potash

Medium

Jordan Phosphate Mines Company (JPMC) and Arab Potash Company. Impacted by broader global commodity price shifts and logistical costs rather than direct specific tariffs.

Pharmaceuticals

Medium

Hikma Pharmaceuticals. While much of their production is global, local Jordanian exports to the US face new administrative hurdles.

Jewelry

Medium

A significant export category to the US (approx. $800M annually) now facing higher entry costs.

GDP & Economic Impact


Jordan is the Middle East's most exposed economy to US trade policy due to its high export-to-GDP ratio with the US (approx. 6.6% of GDP).


  • Real GDP Growth (2025-2026): Growth slowed to roughly 2.0% in 2025 due to the initial tariff shock but is forecasted to recover to 2.8% - 2.9% in 2026 as industries adapt and US monetary easing supports global demand.

  • Employment: The textile sector (predominantly female workforce) faces the highest risk, with an estimated 10,000 to 15,000 jobs threatened by the 20-30% reduction in export volume.

  • Fiscal Stability: Despite trade headwinds, Jordan's sovereign credit rating has remained stable at BB, supported by continued US military and budgetary aid (approx. $1.45 billion annually).


Latest Country Balance of Trade (BOT) YTD


As of the latest available data for late 2025 into early 2026:


  • Overall Trade Balance: Jordan continues to run a significant trade deficit (estimated at -$7.71 billion annually).

  • With the US: Historically, the US has had a trade deficit with Jordan (meaning Jordan exports more than it imports from the US).

    • 2024 (Last full year): ~$1.17 billion deficit for the US.

    • Oct 2025 YTD: US exports to Jordan were ~$200M/month vs. Imports from Jordan at ~$249M/month.

    • Trend: Both imports and exports saw a decline in late 2025 (Imports down 28.5% YoY) as companies paused to assess tariff impacts.


SWOT Analysis: Jordan Trade 2026

Strengths

Weaknesses

* Established 2001 FTA & QIZ infrastructure.


* Strong strategic/military partnership with the US.


* "Price advantage" relative to competitors like Vietnam/Bangladesh who face even higher US tariffs (up to 46%).

* Heavy reliance on a single export category (Garments).


* High energy and production costs.


* Small domestic market limits "economies of scale" compared to Asian rivals.

Opportunities

Threats

* Potential for "Pax Silica" inclusion for tech supply chains.


* Regional reconstruction hub (Syria/Iraq) projects.


* Diversification into IT services and high-end pharmaceuticals.

* Permanent shift in US protectionist policy.


* Regional instability affecting shipping routes and tourism.


* Competitors (Egypt/Bangladesh) lowering prices to absorb their own tariff costs.


US Revised Tariffs

Country Tariffs

Balance of Trade

Commercial Guide

Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in countries, prepared by U.S. Embassies worldwide, Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals

Tariff Rate for US

World Bank staff estimates using the World Integrated Trade Solution system, based on tariff data from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development's Trade Analysis and Information System ( TRAINS ) database and global imports data from the United Nations Statistics Division's Comtrade database.

US Imports Guide 

United States Imports from Countries during 2024, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. United States Imports from Countries- data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on April of 2025.

Investing in USA

theboardiQ Economic Relevance Score, ranks States of USA based on 11 parameters

Sources : ForbesUSDA Economic Research | TCGen Total Innovation Rank Index | Best States for Manufacturing | World Population Review | Tax Foundation | US News | BEA Data | Wikipedia International Trade Administration

theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score provides a comprehensive, data-driven assessment of a nation's economic vitality and global significance. This score is meticulously calculated using 11 key parameters, each reflecting a critical facet of economic performance. It analyzes the representation of Fortune 500 companies within a nation, a strong indicator of its business environment and market size. The balance of trade surplus or deficit reveals the nation's international competitiveness and export strength. It incorporates Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a fundamental measure of overall economic output, and examine the health of key sectors like agriculture and manufacturing. The score also accounts for innovation, gauging a nation's ability to drive future growth through technological advancements. Crucial labor market indicators such as employment rates are considered, alongside fiscal policies reflected in tax rates. To capture the lived experience of citizens, it assesses cost of living and disposable income, providing insight into purchasing power and economic well-being. Finally, education levels are integrated, recognizing their pivotal role in fostering a skilled workforce and driving long-term economic development. By synthesizing these 11 parameters, theboardiQ's Economic Relevance Score delivers a nuanced and holistic view of a nation's economic standing, enabling informed strategic decisions. The Top 5 States in the assessment are Texas, North Carolina, Virginia, Florida and Washington. Texas does consistently well across most of the 11 variables especially in the areas of GDP, F500 representation in the State, Balance of Trade where it ranks 2nd nationally. North Carolina scores as the highest-ranking state nationally in manufacturing and performs consistently across the other variables. Virginia does well in disposable income where it ranks 3rd nationally. It also scores high in the variables of manufacturing and employment Florida holds the 4th ranking nationally for GDP and Tax Washington State scores the top spot for disposable income nationally, 2nd for education and 3rd for innovation. Colorado, with an overall rank of 7 scores the top spot for Education (schools and higher education). Nebraska, that ranked 10th overall, did well in Agriculture where it is ranked 3rd nationally as well as Trade Balance where it ranked 5th. Illinois, though ranked 20th overall did well nationally in F500 representation, GDP, Agriculture, and Disposable Income. Pennsylvania comes in at 21 overall doing well nationally in GDP (6th); Manufacturing (8th) and F500 representation (8th) New York scores 23rd overall with a 2 ranking in Disposable Income nationally, as well as 3rd in both F500 representation and GDP. California comes in at 29th overall and has the top spot ranking in a whopping 4 variables nationally – GDP, Innovation, Agriculture and F500 representation. However, performance in the areas of Trade Balance, Cost of Living, Tax, Manufacturing and Employment resulted in the overall ranking dipping. Wyoming at 30th overall scores the top spot nationally in the area of Tax Massachusetts at 31 overall does well in innovation where it is ranked 2nd nationally Arkansas at 36 and Alabama at 39, do well in overall Cost of Living where they are ranked 2nd and 3rd nationally, respectively. Louisiana ranked 44th overall is ranked 1st in Trade Balance nationally.

theboardiQ Logo

Economic
Relevance
Ranking

Get Great Talent. Subscribe.

Thanks for subscribing!

265 Garnet Dr 

Livermore, CA 94550

  • Youtube
  • LinkedIn
  • X
  • Facebook
bottom of page