US Scrutinizes Jordan, Israel, and Regional Nations Over Chinese Goods

Washington has placed Jordan on a list of five Middle Eastern countries potentially being used as routes to re-export Chinese goods and circumvent American tariffs. Jordan is currently under intense US scrutiny amidst concerns that its territory might be exploited for re-exporting Chinese products to the American market and evading imposed duties. The list also includes Turkey, the UAE, Oman, and Israel, as the United States focuses on scrutinizing "illegal transshipment" practices, which involve re-packaging or falsifying the country of origin, considering China the primary nation associated with these practices. While no official Jordanian comment has been issued yet, sources in Amman indicated the Ministry of Industry and Trade's readiness to close any potential customs loopholes. These developments coincide with an anticipated visit by King Abdullah II to China to sign economic agreements, posing a challenge for Jordan to balance strengthening its partnership with Beijing and adhering to American regulations to avoid Washington's concerns. In a broader context, the US administration accuses China of operating a global network comprising over forty countries to facilitate the passage of its goods and evade 2018 tariffs, costing Washington an estimated annual tax loss ranging between $19 and $26 billion.