Orrin Hatch: “I rise to urge support of the free trade agreement between the United States and Jordan. As ranking Republican member of…”

“I rise to urge support of the free trade agreement between the United States and Jordan. As ranking Republican member of the Trade Subcommittee of the Finance Committee, I am pleased that the Jordanian Free Trade Agreement was approved by the full committee and now is receiving floor consideration. While some would say that this agreement amounts to nothing more than a garden variety trade agreement, they would be wrong. From a strict U.S. economic perspective, it is not a major agreement. However, as King Abdullah has made clear, from the standpoint of the Jordanians, it is an important precedent for his country and for other nations in the region. This was true before the tragic events of September, and may be more true today as our country wages a campaign to reach out to moderate Arab states. Bilateral free trade agreements between the U.S. and other countries help establish a mutual understanding of the norms and expectations of trade. I think when foreign business interests enter into trading partnerships with American firms under a free trade agreement, both parties can benefit economically, and the U.S. and our trading partner will almost inevitably grow closer together due to this type of joint enterprise. I must commend Chairman Baucus and Ranking Republican Member Grassley for their work on this agreement.”