U.S.–Middle East Free Trade Area

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

Part of a series on
International trade agreements
Stages of economic integration around the World
Proposed trade agreements
Related concepts

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:

Screenshot from official US–MEFTA website, 15-11-2004
  • Actively supporting WTO membership of countries in the Middle East and Maghreb
  • Expanding the Generalized System of Preferencess that currently provides duty-free entry to the U.S. market for some 3,500 products from 140 developing economies
  • Negotiating Trade and Investment Framework Agreements that establish a framework for expanding trade and resolving outstanding disputes
  • Negotiating bilateral investment treaties with interested countries by obligating governments to treat foreign investors fairly and offering legal protection equal to domestic investors
  • Negotiating comprehensive free trade agreements with willing countries that demonstrate a commitment to economic openness and reform
  • Helping to target more than $1 billion of annual U.S. funding and spur partnerships with private organizations and businesses that support trade and development
U.S.–Middle East Free Trade Efforts
Country FTA TIFA BIT WTO GSP
Israel Yes Yes Yes Yes
Jordan Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Morocco Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Bahrain Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Egypt Yes Yes Yes Yes
Lebanon Negotiating
Accession		 Yes
Algeria Yes Negotiating
Accession		 Yes
Tunisia Yes Yes Yes Yes
Saudi Arabia Yes Yes Not Eligible
Oman Yes Yes Yes Yes
Kuwait Yes Yes Not Eligible
UAE Announced Yes Yes Not Eligible
Yemen Yes Negotiating
Accession		 Yes
Qatar Yes Yes Not Eligible
Syria Not Eligible
Iraq Yes Observer Status Not Eligible
Libya Negotiating
Accession		 Not Eligible
Iran Not 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

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