U.S., Panama to start free-trade negotiations
The United States and Panama will begin free-trade agreement negotiations starting the week of April 26.
“Panama is a key partner in our effort to deepen economic integration throughout the Western Hemisphere,” said Robert B. Zoellick, U.S. trade representative, in a statement.
The Bush administration declared its intention to seek a free-trade agreement in a letter to Congress on Nov. 18, 2003.
In 2003, bilateral trade between the countries totaled $2,1 billion, with U.S. exports accounting for $1.8 billion of that amount. Between 2002 and 2003, U.S. exports to Panama grew more than 30 percent, USTR said.