Jordan Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in jordan, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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Market Overview
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The United States and Jordan enjoy a strong bilateral relationship, underpinned commercially by the U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Since the signing of the agreement in October 2000, bilateral trade has surged by over 1,296 percent, expanding commercial opportunities for U.S. and Jordanian businesses. The FTA gradually eliminated duties on nearly all products by 2010, and includes provisions for trade in services, electronic commerce, intellectual property protection, as well as labor and environmental standards. In 2024, bilateral trade of goods and services reached $7.4 billion, up by $960 million from 2023. U.S. goods and services exports to Jordan accounted for $3.1 billion, of which goods and services exports were valued at $2.03 billion and $1.07 billion, respectively. Jordan’s leaders, in order to balance the trade deficit and secure a lower tariff rate, are interested in attracting more U.S. imports.

Jordan’s leading resource is its well-educated, low labor-cost work workforce relative to regional competitors. Many Jordanians have sought white-collar employment in the Gulf, but a growing number remain in Jordan in the IT, healthcare, and service sectors. Jordan is exploring its rich natural resources, potash and phosphate mining are among the country’s core, reliable industrial sectors, in addition to garments, chemicals and pharmaceuticals manufacturing. Jordan imports across a range of sectors, creating opportunities for U.S. exporters. 

In 2024, Jordan imported $26.9 billion in goods and services, compared to exports valued at $13.2 billion. Jordan’s leading import categories include mineral fuels and crude oil, precious stones and metals, industrial machinery, transportation equipment including automobiles, electrical and electronic equipment, food and agricultural products, textiles, manufactured goods such as rubber products, paper and cardboard, yarns, chemicals, clothing, and footwear. Jordan’s leading sources of imports include China (19 percent), Saudi Arabia (15.2 percent), United States (7 percent), United Arab Emirates (4.7 percent), Germany (3.5 percent), and India (3.4 percent). The country’s top export categories include chemicals (fertilizers, pharmaceuticals), garments, mineral products (including potash and phosphates), precious stones, and vegetable products. 

Foreign assistance as well as tourism and remittances from expatriate Jordanians are important components of the $53.3 billion economy. The United States is the single largest contributor of bilateral assistance to Jordan, providing $1.65 billion in 2024. The country faces a range of economic challenges: government debt equals 90.2 percent of GDP, the general budget deficit is $2.9 billion after the grants (2024), and unemployment at 21 percent. Additionally, after years of economic growth ranging from four to nine percent in the early 2000s, Jordan’s economic growth has slowed significantly since 2008, hovering around 2 percent over the last decade. The economy grew by 2.5 percent in 2024.

Summary of the Top Reasons to do Business in Jordan

Bilateral Relationship Favorable for U.S. Business Development The bilateral relationship between the United States and Jordan spans more than 75 years. The U.S.-Jordan FTA enables nearly all U.S. exports to enter Jordan duty-free.

Reliance on Imports 

Jordan’s high imports create opportunities for U.S. exporters across a range of industry sectors that are prepared for global competition.  

High Regard for U.S. Products

The public regards U.S. goods, services, and technologies to be of superior quality and performance. Jordan recently announced that starting November 1, it restricted the import of Chinese spec-autos, which should make U.S. autos more competitive.

Infrastructure Projects and Government Procurement

There are emerging opportunities to engage in major infrastructure projects or pursue government tenders across a range of sectors, many of which are financed by donor countries, including the United States or International Finance Institutions (IFIs). Some projects are coordinated through the Ministry of Investment’s Public Private Partnership (PPP) Unit.

Cost-Effective and Skilled

Workforce Jordan has a young, educated population with a high literacy rate. The country’s universities and vocational schools produce a significant number of skilled professionals, particularly in the information technology, healthcare, and engineering sectors. This skilled workforce, combined with relatively lower labor costs compared to other countries, makes Jordan an attractive location for businesses seeking to minimize operational expenses while maintaining high standards of quality and efficiency.

Political Stability & Strategic Regional Platform

Jordan offers political stability for business interests in the Middle East. U.S. firms can leverage the country’s international business community. Jordan is strategically positioned to serve as a platform for firms supplying regional markets or seeking access to the Iraqi market.

Political Environment

For background information on the political and economic environment of the country, visit the State Department’s Jordan Country website and the U.S. Embassy in Jordan website for more background on the country’s political and economic environment.

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