Hearing:"The United States-Jordan Free Trade Agreement"
Date/time:Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at 2:30 p.m.
Location:215 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Description:Last year, to recognize Jordan's vital role in efforts to achieve a lasting peace in the Middle East, and to acknowledge the strong and effective partnership between our two nations, the Clinton Administration entered into and concluded negotiations on a free trade agreement between the United States and Jordan. This special agreement was negotiated in the context of Jordan's unique position in a critically important part of the world. Many in Congress viewed the United States-Jordan negotiations, and the resulting agreement, in light of this context, and not as a model for future trade agreements. Following the announcement of the agreement, there has been considerable discussion about labor and environmental provisions that were included in the accord. Sen. Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Committee on Finance, will convene a hearing to examine the United States-Jordan free trade agreement, and will consider the nature of these provisions, and their potential consequences for the future development of American trade policy.
A witness list will be available later.