On 9 May 2003, the
U.S. President outlined a strategy towards the
establishment of a U.S.- Middle East free trade
area, to be developed within a decade. One step
towards this was to be the negotiation of bilateral
investment treaties (BITs) and Trade and Investment
Framework Agreements (TIFAs) with Middle Eastern
countries.
On 15 March 2004 the United States and the United
Arab Emirates signed a Trade and Investment
Framework Agreement (TIFA). On 15 November 2004 the
USTR sent a letter to the U.S. House of
Representatives and to the U.S. Senate announcing
the intent to begin negotiations towards a free
trade agreement with the United Arab Emirates. On 8
March 2005 the United States announced the intention
to begin free trade negotiations with the United
Arab Emirates, as well as with Oman.
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