Jordan recorded a trade deficit of nearly JD9.9 billion in 2025, according to Department of Statistics data. Official figures show the country’s total imports reached approximately JD20.5 billion during that period, while total exports amounted to JD10.6 billion. These figures, released by the Department of Statistics, reflect the scale of the kingdom's external trade activity over the course of the year. The gap between the JD20.5 billion in imports and the JD10.6 billion in exports notes the ongoing fiscal challenge represented by the JD9.9 billion deficit.
Dr. Ahmad Awad, founder and director of the Phoenix Center for Economic and Informatics Studies, stated, "Although Jordan’s trade balance figures are important, they are insufficient on their own to determine the full economic gains and costs of trade." Dr. Ahmad Awad emphasized that relying solely on the JD9.9 billion deficit figure provides only a partial view of the national economy. He suggested that a more nuanced approach is required to understand how these import and export volumes translate into actual economic health or systemic risk for the country. Environmental and water affairs expert Dr. Mona Hindiyeh added, "Jordan’s reliance on imported goods with a high environmental footprint could become a source of economic vulnerability, particularly if the country continues depending on suppliers and products for which alternatives are difficult to find." Dr. Mona Hindiyeh noted that the composition of the JD20.5 billion import bill is as significant as the total value itself, especially regarding resource-intensive commodities.
Global Carbon Regulations and Impacts
The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) began its implementation phase at the start of 2026. This policy requires importers to account for the carbon emissions generated during the production of specific goods.
The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) applies to fertilizers, cement, iron, steel, and aluminum entering the European market. These regulations aim to ensure that imported products face carbon costs equivalent to those produced within the European Union. The mechanism is designed to prevent carbon leakage, where production is relocated to countries with less stringent environmental policies. Manufacturers and traders dealing in these materials now face new compliance requirements when shipping goods into the European Union.
Jordanian exporters of these specific commodities must track and report the emissions intensity of their production processes to meet the standards set by the mechanism. The transition period focuses on data collection and reporting to prepare companies for the eventual financial obligations associated with the carbon border tax. As these industries represent a segment of the national export portfolio, the administrative burden of tracking carbon footprints is becoming a primary focus for Jordanian firms. The implementation of the European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism forces a direct link between the industrial production methods used in Jordan and the entry requirements of the European market. Companies are currently navigating the requirements to ensure that their goods, which contribute to the total export figure of JD10.6 billion, remain competitive and compliant under the new international framework.
