Morocco-U.S. Free Trade Agreement

Publication Date: May 2005

Publisher: Library of Congress. Congressional Research Service

Author(s):

Research Area: Trade

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Abstract:

The United States and Morocco reached agreement on March 2, 2004 to create a free trade agreement (FTA). The FTA is intended to strengthen bilateral ties, boost trade and investment flows, and bolster Morocco's position as a moderate Arab state. More than 95% of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products will become duty-free upon entry into force of the agreement. The Senate approved implementing legislation (S. 2677) on July 2, 2004 by a vote of 85-13 and the House approved identical legislation (H.R. 4842) on July 22, 2004 by a vote of 323-99. The next day, the Senate passed House approved H.R. 4842 without amendment by unanimous consent. The legislation was signed by President Bush into law (P.L.108-302) on August 3, 2004. While the FTA was initially scheduled to be implemented on January 1, 2005, it is now expected to go into effect on July 1, 2005. The half-year delay in implementing the agreement is due in part to the fact that the Moroccan government did not finish ratifying the agreement until January 18, 2005. This report will be updated later this year.