US President Bill Clinton and King Abdullah of Jordan are to sign a free trade agreement Tuesday that breaks new ground by embodying provisions to protect workers' rights and the environment, officials said.
The agreement would eliminate all tariffs on two-way trade in goods and services over a 10-year period, an arrangement the United States currently has with only three other countries, Canada, Mexico and Israel.
The deal with Jordan is the first US trade accord to carry specific labor and environmental guarantees, measures that have long been sought by trade unions and are backed by Vice President Al Gore, Democratic Party presidential hopeful.
"We are not asking Jordan to commit itself to new standards," said a senior US trade official.
"We are asking Jordan simply to enforce the laws it has on the books now."
She added that Washington was fully satisfied with Jordan's current labor standards, which she said were compatible with those of the International Labor Organization.
The agreement outlines a mechanism for bilateral consultations if either party fails to adhere to core labor and environmental practices. It also contains provisions for "appropriate measures" -- which were left undefined -- if abuses persist, according to the official.
Congress must still consider the pact but is only called on to approve the tariff reduction clauses, she said. Lawmakers will not debate the labor and environmental guarantees – WASHINGTON (AFP)
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