Joe Crowley: “I rise as a co-sponsor of H.R. 2603, the United States-Jordan Free-Trade Agreement. This legislation, as approved, would…”

“I rise as a co-sponsor of H.R. 2603, the United States-Jordan Free-Trade Agreement. This legislation, as approved, would implement H.Doc. 107-15 as it was submitted to Congress on January 6, 2001 by former President Clinton, and would make the trade agreement we negotiated with the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan operational. Jordan is a moderate Arab nation and an ally of both the United States and Israel. The free trade agreement negotiated by the Clinton administration will help to solidify trade and commerce between the United States and Jordan. As you know Mr. Speaker, free trade is vital to political stability and economic development not only in the Middle East but also around the world. With free trade nations are not only able to exchange goods but also ideas. It is the ideas of freedom and democracy that is the greatest export the United States can offer to the rest of the world. Under the agreement negotiated by the United States and Jordan, both nations have committed themselves to removing almost all duties on trade in ten years. The two countries have also committed themselves to safeguarding intellectual property and copyrights. Most importantly the agreement includes provisions to protect worker rights and the environment. The Middle East is an emerging region and the United States should do all it can to help the nations of the Middle East develop their economic potential.”