U.S.–Middle East Free Trade Area Explained

The U.S.–MEFTA initiative started in 2003 with the purpose of creating a U.S.–Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013.

The U.S. objective with this initiative has been to gradually increase trade and investment in the Middle East, and to assist the Middle East countries in implementing domestic reforms, instituting the rule of law, protecting private property rights (including intellectual property), and creating a foundation for openness, economic growth, and prosperity.

Among the stated objectives are:

U.S.–Middle East Free Trade Efforts
CountryFTATIFABITWTOGSP
Israel
Jordan
Morocco
Bahrain
Egypt
LebanonNegotiating
Accession
AlgeriaNegotiating
Accession
Tunisia
Saudi ArabiaNot Eligible
Oman
KuwaitNot Eligible
UAEAnnouncedNot Eligible
YemenNegotiating
Accession
QatarNot Eligible
SyriaNot Eligible
IraqObserver StatusNot Eligible
LibyaNegotiating
Accession
Not Eligible
IranNot Eligible
Note: The Palestinian Authority participates in the U.S.–Israel FTA.

Active agreements

US agreements

The United States currently has several bilateral free trade agreements with nations in the region.

Middle Eastern agreements

Additionally many potential MEFTA states are already members of the multilateral Greater Arab Free Trade Area.

Other states are members of the multilateral Arab Maghreb Union.

The following, expected to constitute MEFTA,[1] are not members of existing Middle Eastern agreements:

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Staff, "Middle East Free Trade Area: Progress Report", Congressional Research Service, 1 June 2006