Number: RL32540
Title: The Proposed U.S.-Panama Free Trade Agreement
Authors: J.F. Hornbeck, Foreign Affairs, Defense, and Trade Division 
Abstract: On June 28, 2007, the United States and Panama signed a free trade agreement (FTA) after two and half years and ten rounds of negotiations. Negotiations were formally concluded on December 16, 2006, with an understanding that further changes to labor, environment, and intellectual property rights (IPR) chapters would be made pursuant to detailed congressional input. These changes were agreed to in late June 2007, clearing the way for the proposed FTA's signing in time to be considered under Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which expired on July 1, 2007. TPA allows Congress to consider trade implementing bills under expedited procedures. Panama's legislature approved the FTA on 58 to 4 on July 11, 2007. The 110th Congress may take up implementing legislation in 2008.
Pages: 32
Date: September 17, 2008