Free Trade for Jordan

Watching the news conference of W and King Abdullah in the Oval Office, President Bush gave King Abdullah a pen which he used to sign a free trade agreement with Jordan.

My question is this- who else do we have free trade with besides Canada and Mexico? England?? Anyone else? My point is this--this seems like a REALLY BIG milkbone for Jordan, and if we are trading free trade for support by Jordan, I don't consider them our friends, but opportunists. If they are with us, they should be with us WITHOUT such a big reward.

I would love to hear anyone else's commentary about this--I am a little confused about why we would grant free trade to Jordan after making it so clear that if you aren't with us, you are against us, and we dont' seem to be into bribing anyone else in this big of a way. After all, the Saudis are going to let us use one of their bases--do we have free trade with them as well?

I don't consider them our friends, but opportunists.

Well, in a purely capitalist system, this type of overture that we are making is how people become friends and build trust over time. As people weave more threads of inter-dependence and shared interests together their national interests start to look more alike. Who knows, maybe freer trade in the region will help peace efforts.

This is a HUGE plus. By trotting out the Jordanians in front of the world to sign an economic agreement in addition to their diplomatic support against terrorism, the rest of the Arab League is going to be compelled to act in kind. This is being severely underplayed, but I think this could be huge. It sends a message to Saddam, to Arafat, to Syria, to Mubarak, etc. exactly which side they've chosen in this matter. We're really doing a brilliant job of separating the wheat from the chaff, and in spite of the fact that it looks like they're opportunists -- well hell, isn't that what politics is all about? Don't castigate the Jordanians for doing the smart thing. It shows they've got their heads screwed on straight and that's to their credit -- and that's the message this is sending to everyone else. You play ball with us, you win. Iran is digging its grave. So is Iraq.

My belief is that this huge military buildup has little to do with Afghanistan and everything to do with Iraq. Mark my words. Gen. Hackworth said it best on Geraldo Rivera -- we're going to deal the punishment to Iraq "in spades". Lots of ugly hangnails to cut off from the first Gulf War. Watch for Egypt to quietly shift gears like Saudi Arabia. Sooner or later, these guys are going to have to realize that Israel isn't going away, and fomenting all this hate and rage is only hurting their own nations' legitimate needs. There will be unbearable pressure on Arafat to cast off Hamas and Islamic Jihad for the sake of his own skin... Some German art clod called the terrorist attack "a work of art". Wait'll he sees the piece of work we're counstructing over these monsters.

Associated Press

King Abdullah II of Jordan looks around the Oval Office as he meets with President Bush at the Whtie House, Friday, Sept 28, 2001. Bush planned to ask the King's cooperation in combating terrorism and in promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, including efforts to encourage Israelis and Palestinians to end violence and resume dialogue. (AP Photo/Doug Mills)

It's the cat that swallowed the [miner's] canary!

>>>The U.S.-Jordan Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed on October 24, 2000, will eliminate duties and commercial barriers to bilateral trade in goods and services originating in the United States and Jordan. The FTA also includes, for the first time ever in the text of a trade agreement, provisions addressing trade and environment, trade and labor, and electronic commerce. Other provisions address intellectual property rights protection, balance of payments, rules of origin, safeguards and procedural matters such as consultations and dispute settlement. Because the United States already has a Bilateral Investment Treaty with Jordan, the FTA does not include an investment chapter <<<

Source (also provides link to pdf text of treaty)

Daniel 8:25
And through his policy also he shall cause craft to prosper in his hand; and he shall magnify himself in his heart, and by peace shall destroy many: he shall also stand up against the Prince of princes; but he shall be broken without hand.

And by peace shall destroy many...

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.