Press Releases 2004

April 26, 2004

U.S. and Panama launch Free Trade Agreement Negotiations

The U.S. and Panama launched Free Trade Agreement Negotiations today in Panama City, Panama.

According to U.S. Trade Representative Robert B. Zoellick, "the United States has been opening markets and expanding trade through high-standard trade agreements. Panama is a key partner in our effort to deepen economic integration throughout the Western Hemisphere ... the time is right, following completion of the agreement with five Central American and Dominican neighbors and these negotiations represent a vote of confidence in Panama's future."

The U.S. negotiators travelling to Panama come from different U.S. agencies to include Chief Negotiator Regina Vargo, Assistant United States Trade Representative for the Americas; representatives from the Trade Development Agency, Department of State, Department of Commerce, Department of Agriculture, the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the U.S. Copyright Office, Department of Labor, the Environmental Protection Agency, Department of Justice, the USAID and members of the American Embassy in Panama.