After a total of eight negotiating rounds, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Zoellick and Moroccan Minister Taib Fassi-Fihri reached agreement on March 2, 2004 on a comprehensive FTA. Both the Senate and House approved implementing legislation in July 2004, and President Bush signed the legislation into law ( P.L. 108-302 ) on August 3, 2004. The Moroccan Parliament ratified the agreement on January 18, 2005, but subsequently had to legislate changes in the country's intellectual property laws to implement its FTA obligations. Each agreement is intended to be an integral part of President Bush's strategy to create a Middle East Free Trade Area by 2013. Background

Morocco is a moderate Arab state which maintains close relations with Europe and the United States. Why Morocco? As Morocco is one of the strongest U.S. allies in the war on terrorism in the Middle East, the FTA is intended as a reward for its support, as well as send a signal to the rest of the Arab world that the United States wants closer ties. Key Provisions of the FTA13

The agreement provides that more than 95% of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products will become duty-free immediately, and all other remaining tariffs will be eliminated within nine years.
The United States and Morocco reached agreement on March 2, 2004 to create a free trade agreement (FTA). 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. The agreement entered into force on January 1, 2006, a year later than planned due to the need for Morocco's Parliament to pass amendments to its intellectual property laws. 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 became duty-free upon entry into force, while most other remaining barriers are to be phased out over a number of years. This report will be updated later this year.