US House Okays FTA with Morocco
Morocco-USA, Politics, 7/24/2004

The US House of Representatives voted Thursday 323-99 to pass the Free Trade agreement, signed with Morocco last June 15.

The Free Trade deal, approved Wednesday by the senate with a vote of 85-13, will make Morocco the eighth nation with which the United States has a free-trade agreement and the first African country to sign such a pact with the US.

The agreement, signed after 13 rounds of negotiations, will be submitted to president Bush for promulgation.

The pact is expected to boost MoroccoÑUS two-way trade that is modest compared to long-standing political ties between the two countries.

The FTA would eliminate tariffs on 95% of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products, with all remaining tariffs to be eliminated within nine years.

By approving this accord, we pay attribute to an alliance and a friendship of over two centuries, said senator Max Baucus.

Supporters of the FTA underscored that Rabat recently enacted new domestic labor laws, including new restrictions on child labour, in anticipation of the trade deal's passage.

Republican and democrat members of the US House of Representatives highlighted Thursday the FTA's strategic importance and positive impact on trade exchanges and relations with Morocco.

In 2003, US domestic merchandise exports to Morocco were valued at $462 million, while US imports for consumption from Morocco were estimated at $396 million. The US recorded a $66 million surplus with Morocco in 2003, as Morocco ranked as the 69th largest market for US exports and the 82nd larger supplier of imports.

Previous Stories:
  U.S. Senates approves FTA with Morocco   (7/22/2004)
  FTA with Morocco to reinforce relations with longstanding partner, Bush   (7/17/2004)
  Morocco's King, US President Bush call for quick settlement of Sahara issue   (7/10/2004)

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