Twenty years ago, on June 15, 2004, the United States and the Kingdom of Morocco signed the US-Morocco Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which was implemented on January 1, 2006. The FTA was aimed at promoting bilateral trade and economic growth and improving investment opportunities between the two economies. After two decades, it is essential to highlight some of its successes, its challenges, and the prospects of free trade with Rabat, especially within the context of the US-Morocco FTA.

Economic diversification and foreign direct investment
The US-Morocco FTA removed tariffs and significantly reduced trade barriers between the two countries. This, alongside other FTA and advanced trade agreements with the European Union (EU), China, Egypt, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), contributed to Morocco’s efforts to diversify its economy and trade. Through providing access to the US market, the FTA encouraged Moroccan firms to expand into new high-tech manufacturing such as automotive and aeronautics parts, as well as electronics. The agreement has also contributed to a steady increase in bilateral trade. According to the Office of the United States Trade Representative, US-Morocco trade in goods and services has grown to nearly $7 billion annually. This trade growth reflects a deepening of economic ties between the two countries.