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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:

  • Actively supporting WTO membership of countries in the Middle East and Mahgreb

  • Expanding the Generalized System of Preferences (GSP's) 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 (TIFA's) that establish a framework for expanding trade and resolving outstanding disputes

  • Negotiating Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT's) with interested countries by obligating governments to treat foreign investors fairly and offering legal protection equal to domestic investors

  • Negotiating comprehensive Free Trade Agreements (FTA's) 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



















CountryFTATIFABITWTOGSP
Israel√√√√
Jordan√√√√√
MoroccoRatified
by U.S.		√√√√
BahrainSigned√√√√
Egypt√√√√
LebanonNegotiating
Accession		√
Algeria√Negotiating
Accession		√
Tunisia√√√√
Saudi Arabia√Negotiating
Accession		Not Eligible
OmanAnnounced√√√
Kuwait√√Not Eligible
UAEAnnounced√√Not Eligible
Yemen√Negotiating
Accession		√
Qatar√√Not Eligible
SyriaNot Eligible
Iraq√Observer StatusNot Eligible
LibyaNegotiating
Accession		Not Eligible
IranNot Eligible
Note: The Palestinian Authority participates in the U.S. — Israel FTA.




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