Free Trade Agreements

The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) is an agency of over 200 people, a highly committed group of professionals who have decades of specialized experience in trade issues and regions of the world. They negotiate directly with foreign governments to create trade agreements, resolve disputes and participate in global trade policy organizations. They also meet with governments, business groups, legislators and public interest groups to gather input on trade issues and explain the president’s trade policy positions. The agency was founded in 1962 and has offices in Geneva and Brussels.

Mission of the USTR

U.S. trade policy

American trade policy works toward opening markets throughout the world to create new opportunities and higher living standards for families, farmers, manufacturers, workers, consumers, and businesses. The United States is party to numerous trade agreements with other countries, and is participating in negotiations for new trade agreements with a number of countries and regions of the world.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) is responsible for developing and coordinating U.S. international trade, commodity, and direct investment policy, and  overseeing negotiations with other countries. The head of USTR is the U.S. Trade Representative, a Cabinet member who serves as the president’s principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on trade issues.

USTR is part of the Executive Office of the President. Through an interagency structure, USTR coordinates trade policy, resolves disagreements, and frames issues for presidential decision. USTR also serves as vice chairman of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC), is a non-voting member of the Export-Import Bank, and a member of the National Advisory Council on International Monetary and  Financial Policies.

"The band of traitors"

Existing Free Trade Agreements

Australia

• State by State Impact Reports
• Industry Sectoral Reports
• Opportunity Report
• Textile Safeguard Procedures
• Additional Australia FTA Information for Exporters
• USTR Information

Bahrain

• State by State Impact Report
• Industry Sectoral Reports
• Textile Safeguard Procedures
• Additional Bahrain FTA Information for Exporters
• USTR Information

Dominican Republic-Central America-United States FTA (CAFTA-DR) (Includes: Costa Rica*, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua)

• NEW! Commerce-AACCLA Fact Sheets: U.S. Contribution to Western Hemisphere Prosperity—Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua (PDFs)
• Additional Reports and Statistics
• Commercial Availability Documents
• Textile Safeguard Procedures
• Additional CAFTA-DR FTA Information for Exporters
• USTR Information

Chile

• Opportunity Report
• Additional Reports and Statistics
• Additional Chile FTA Information for Exporters
• USTR Information

Israel

• Additional Reports and Statistics
• Additional Israel FTA Information for Exporters
• USTR Information

Jordan

• Additional Reports and Statistics
• Additional Jordan FTA Information for Exporters
• USTR Information

Morocco

• State by State Impact Reports
• Industry Sectoral Reports
• Textile Safeguard Procedures
• Additional Morocco FTA Information for Exporters
• USTR Information

North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA)

• NEW FACT SHEET! NAFTA Myths vs. Facts (PDF)
• NEW! Commerce-AACCLA Fact Sheet: U.S. Contribution to Mexico’s Prosperity (PDF)
• State by State Impact Reports
• Commercial Availability Documents
• Additional Textiles Related Information
• Additional Reports and Statistics
• Additional NAFTA FTA Information for Exporters
• NAFTA: The Road Ahead

NAFTA  10 Years Later

Reports are available in PDF format only; click here to download a free PDF reader.

Singapore

• Additional Reports and Statistics
• Additional Singapore FTA Information for Exporters
• USTR Information

FTAs Pending Implementation

• Peru

• Oman

Other FTA Negotiations

• Malaysia

• Thailand

• SACU

• UAE

WTO Agreements

Intellectual Property Rights Agreements

Bilateral Investment Treaty

What are these Treaties and what do they do?

Who benefits from these Treaties?

How can these Treaties help my company?

Can the U.S. Government help me if I have a problem?

How can I get more information?

What are these Treaties and what do they do?

The formal name for this type of agreement is: "Treaty Between the Government of the United States of America and the Government of (Country) Concerning the Encouragement and Reciprocal Protection of Investment." They are commonly called Bilateral Investment Treaties or BITs.

A Bilateral Investment Treaty is designed to ensure that U.S. investors receive national or most favored nation treatment (whichever is better) in the other signatory country. It protects U.S. investors against performance requirements, restrictions on transfers and arbitrary expropriation. BITs set forth procedures for the settlement of disputes. By providing a more open and secure environment for investment, they also promote private sector development.

The Office of the United States Trade Representative and the Department of State jointly lead BIT negotiations, with assistance from the Department of Commerce and the Treasury. BITs must receive the advice and consent of the Senate before they are ratified and enter into force. They remain in force for ten years and then continue in force unless one of the Parties terminates them. One year's written notice to the other Party is required for termination.

BITs are currently in force between the United States and the following 39 countries. (Dates of entry into force are in parentheses.)

* The Treaty that entered into force in 1992 for the Czech and Slovak Federal Republic has been in force for the Czech Republic and Slovakia as separate states since January 1, 1993.

Treaties have been concluded with the following countries but have not yet entered into force: Belarus, El Salvador, Haiti, Nicaragua, Russia and Uzbekistan. The U.S. Government is also negotiating additional Bilateral Investment Treaties. As Treaties enter into force, they will be added to the TCC's web site.