Prensa.com publishes that the USTR indicated in a Trade Strategy document delivered to congress that "we expect to advance the FTA with Panama relatively quickly."

It is also stated that the Obama administration is preparing an action plan on how to proceed with the agreement, which was negotiated by the Bush administration.

Source: prensa.com.pa

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Panama – USA FTA Effective From October 31

October 2012

After Panama passed modifications to laws on patents, dispute resolution and intellectual property, representatives from both countries announced that on October 31 the treaty will come into force.

The free trade agreement, ratified by the U.S. Congress should have come into effect on October first, but the lack of adoption of some laws in Panama meant that the date was pushed back to 31 October.

Panama - USA FTA Goes to Congress

October 2011

The U.S. President has sent the Free Trade Agreement negotiated in 2003 with Panama to Congress for ratification.

Along with the FTA with Panama Congress will also receive ratification requests for FTAs with Colombia and Korea.

Mario Jaramillo, Ambassador of Panama in Washington, inidcated that they have the necessary votes for approval in Congress and a vote is expected "very promptly."

U.S. to Accelerate FTA with Panama and Colombia

February 2011

The U.S. will begin this year a process to resolve outstanding issues preventing the ratification of these treaties.

This was announced by the U.S. trade representative, Ron Kirk, who added "I can tell you the president (Barack Obama) has instructed me to immediately intensify contacts with Colombia and Panama, in order to resolve this as soon as possible and submit these agreements immediately to Congress for consideration."

U.S. FTAs with Colombia and Panama Have a Long Way to Go

May 2010

In the U.S., the political situation is not favorable for approving these Free Trade Agreements, despite Barack’s Obama goodwill.

This was affirmed by State Secretary Hillary Clinton, while meeting with regional leaders at the 40th Conference of the Americas Council. She did reinstate her country’s commitment to free trade.