House passes Bahrain free trade deal

The Bush administration gained a sweeping victory Wednesday after the U.S. House of Representatives passed a free trade deal with Bahrain. The trade legislation passed the House 327 to 95 giving the administration its first free trade deal with a Gulf country, while reflecting its strong relations with Bahrain, which supported both U.S.-led wars in Iraq and is host to the U.S. Navy's Fifth Fleet.

Bahrain, which is the smallest oil-exporting country in Persian Gulf, now joins three Arab states, Israel, Oman and Jordan, as well as, Morocco in having a bilateral trade agreement with the United States in the region.

The United States has been working to expand its economic ties under the Middle East Free Trade Initiative by 2013 following recommendation of The 9/11 Commission Report. Washington is seeking to enter free trade discussions with Egypt at the "appropriate time" after some remaining issues are resolved. It is also currently holding negotiations with the United Arab Emirates.

"This free trade agreement with Bahrain, our first with a Gulf country and our third with an Arab country, signals our commitment to deepening America's relationship with the Middle East region," said Rob Portman, U.S. Trade Representative in a statement. "It is another major step forward in implementing President Bush's plan for a Middle East Free Trade Area."


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