Jordan’s trade surplus with US reached $1.23bn in 2024

Samer Judeh, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan. (Supplied/Petra)
Samer Judeh, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan. (Supplied/Petra)
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Updated 15 March 2025
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Jordan’s trade surplus with US reached $1.23bn in 2024

Jordan’s trade surplus with US reached $1.23bn in 2024
  • Healthy Jordan-US trade relations highlighted by foreign trade data released by Department of Statistics

AMMAN: Jordan recorded a trade surplus of 877 million dinars ($1.23 billion) with the US in 2024, according to foreign trade data released by the Department of Statistics on Saturday.

The data, reported by the Jordan News Agency (Petra), highlighted significant growth in national exports to the US, which reached JD2.208 billion last year, up from JD1.958 billion in 2023 — an increase of 12.8 percent.

Meanwhile, the kingdom’s imports from the US market also saw a rise, reaching JD1.331 billion in 2024, compared to JD1.161 billion the previous year, marking an increase of 14.6 percent.

As a result, the total volume of trade between the two countries grew to JD3.539 billion, up from JD3.119 billion in 2023. National exports to the US accounted for 25.7 percent of Jordan’s total exports last year.

Speaking to Petra, Samer Judeh, chairman of the American Chamber of Commerce in Jordan, attributed this growth to the success of Jordanian products in penetrating the US market, benefiting from the Jordan-US Free Trade Agreement, which was fully implemented in 2010.

He noted that the agreement has contributed to an 800 percent increase in bilateral trade since its inception.

Judeh emphasized that enhancing exports and supporting national industries remain key priorities under Jordan’s Economic Modernization Vision. He highlighted the private sector’s role in shaping policies and coordinating efforts to further strengthen trade ties with the American market.

To sustain this momentum, Judeh underscored the need to enhance the added value of Jordanian products, improve quality standards, diversify exports, and promote joint investments between Jordan and the US.

He also stressed the importance of institutional cooperation in training, marketing, and supply chain development to ensure long-term growth and boost the competitiveness of Jordanian exports in the US market.

And he pointed to the potential of high-value technical services driven by Jordan’s skilled workforce, which could play a crucial role in further expanding trade relations between the two nations.


At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza

At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza
Updated 6 min 37 sec ago
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At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza

At least 12 killed overnight by Israeli strikes in Gaza
  • The pre-dawn strikes hit three houses in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp
  • Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month

At least 12 people including children were killed overnight in Gaza by Israeli strikes, hospital workers said Wednesday.
The pre-dawn strikes hit three houses in the urban Nuseirat refugee camp, according to staff at the Al-Aqsa hospital, which received the bodies. Among the dead were three children, including two brothers whose bodies arrived in pieces, according to the hospital’s morgue.
Israel has carried out daily strikes on Gaza since ending its ceasefire with Hamas last month. It has cut off the territory’s 2 million Palestinians from all imports, including food and medicine, since the beginning of March in what it says is an attempt to pressure the militant group to release hostages.
The strikes come after more than two dozen people were killed earlier this week in Gaza City and Beit Lahiya.
Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, according to the territory’s Health Ministry.


UAE arrests cell smuggling weapons to ‘Sudanese army’

UAE arrests cell smuggling weapons to ‘Sudanese army’
Updated 3 min 2 sec ago
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UAE arrests cell smuggling weapons to ‘Sudanese army’

UAE arrests cell smuggling weapons to ‘Sudanese army’

DUBAI: UAE security services have thwarted an attempt to illegally transfer weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces, state-run WAM News Agency reported. 

“The country’s security services foiled an attempt to illegally smuggle weapons and military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces,” read a statement on WAM. 

UAE's Attorney-General Dr. Hamad Saif Al-Shamsi said authorities have prevented the illegal transfer of “a quantity of military equipment to the Sudanese Armed Forces following the arrest of members of a cell involved in unauthorized mediation, brokering and illicit trafficking of military equipment, without obtaining the necessary licenses.”

The statement said the defendants were arrested during an inspection of ammunition in a private aircraft at one of the country’s airports. 

Authorities have seized approximately five million rounds of 7.62 x 54 mm Goryunov-type ammunition that were found on the plane. 

Al-Shamsi said the investigation revealed the involvement of some Sudanese military leaders, including former intelligence Chief Salah Gosh and a political figure close to General Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan. It also said several Sudanese businessmen were also implicated.


US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality

US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality
Updated 11 sec ago
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US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality

US official tells UN top court ‘serious concerns’ over UNRWA impartiality

THE HAGUE: A US official on Wednesday told the International Court of Justice there were “serious concerns” about the impartiality of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA.
ICJ judges are holding a week of hearings to help them formulate an advisory opinion on Israel’s obligations toward UN agencies delivering aid to Palestinians in Gaza.
“There are serious concerns about UNRWA’s impartiality, including information that Hamas has used UNRWA facilities and that UNRWA staff participated in the October 7th terrorist attack against Israel,” said Josh Simmons from the US State Department legal team.


Syrian state media says 11 dead in new clashes near Damascus

Syrian state media says 11 dead in new clashes near Damascus
Updated 33 min 57 sec ago
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Syrian state media says 11 dead in new clashes near Damascus

Syrian state media says 11 dead in new clashes near Damascus
  • Clashes erupted overnight between security forces and “outlaw groups” near Damascus

DAMASCUS: Syria state media said Wednesday that 11 people had been killed in clashes that erupted overnight between security forces and “outlaw groups” near Damascus.
“The number of dead after outlaw groups targeted civilians and security forces” in the Sahnaya area “has risen to 11 dead and a number of wounded,” state news agency SANA said, citing a health ministry statement, without elaborating on the identity of those killed.


Iraq to host Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17

Iraq to host Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17
Updated 45 min 5 sec ago
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Iraq to host Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17

Iraq to host Arab Summit in Baghdad on May 17
  • Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein said invitations had been extended to most Arab leaders

DUBAI: Iraq’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Fuad Hussein confirmed on Tuesday that the Arab Summit will be held in Baghdad as planned on May 17.

Hussein said that invitations had been extended to most Arab leaders, with many showing positive responses, state news agency INA reported. 

The minister emphasized the strong interest among Arab states in participating, reflecting regional support for Iraq’s hosting of the summit.