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:
| Country | FTA | TIFA | BIT | WTO | GSP | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Israel | ||||||
| Jordan | ||||||
| Morocco | ||||||
| Bahrain | ||||||
| Egypt | ||||||
| Lebanon | Negotiating Accession | |||||
| Algeria | Negotiating Accession | |||||
| Tunisia | ||||||
| Saudi Arabia | Not Eligible | |||||
| Oman | ||||||
| Kuwait | Not Eligible | |||||
| UAE | Announced | Not Eligible | ||||
| Yemen | Negotiating Accession | |||||
| Qatar | Not Eligible | |||||
| Syria | Not Eligible | |||||
| Iraq | Observer Status | Not Eligible | ||||
| Libya | Negotiating Accession | Not Eligible | ||||
| Iran | Not Eligible | |||||
| Note: The Palestinian Authority participates in the U.S.–Israel FTA. | ||||||
The United States currently has several bilateral free trade agreements with nations in the region.
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: