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Guest Commentary: September 8, 2001
Pass U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement
The Honorable Max Baucus
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Jordan has been one of the few Arab states to actively work with the United States to establish a real and lasting peace in the Middle East. The U.S.-Jordan FTA represents a solid trade agreement as well as a strong signal of support to a valued ally. Although Jordan is not currently a major trading partner of the United States, this agreement should open the door for increased trade and commerce between the U.S. and Jordan. More importantly, it is my sincere hope it will help to bring peace to the region through economic stability.
The principal feature of the U.S.-Jordan FTA is the mutual elimination of tariffs within 10 years. Modeled after the U.S.-Israel FTA, it also limits other non-tariff trade barriers and establishes a mechanism for the settlement of disputes. The agreement is also unique. Most notably, it specifically states that each country shall strive to maintain and enforce its respective labor and environmental laws.
I recognize that these particular provisions have sparked some debate. However, I see them as historic progress on a vexing issue. Not only have they established a reasonable standard that we should expect from any of our trading partners, they also have catapulted this Congress and this administration into a real dialogue toward defining a new international trade consensus. The Jordan agreement aside, I find it completely reasonable that we should expect our trading partners to maintain their labor and environmental standards. That's simply good business. To weaken such standards solely to gain a trade advantage would undermine a country's credibility -- not to mention destabilize the very trade relationship the FTA was intended to benefit.
The U.S.-Jordan FTA has been negotiated and signed. The Bush Administration supports it and has no intention or renegotiating a new agreement. The Jordanian Parliament ratified the Agreement last May. Our colleagues in the House have already approved the implementing legislation for the agreement. Jordan's King Abdullah II visits the U.S. next week to urge passage of the agreement.
I hope his visit will encourage potential detractors to recognize the importance for swift action and agree not to stand in the way of immediate consideration of this vital legislation.
Simply put, this is a good trade agreement. The time is right for the Senate to take up and pass it without amendment.
Note: This commentary has been adapted from a speech Sen. Baucus gave on the floor of the Senate, September 6, 2001.
 How to contact Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT)
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