How does the Agreement improve access for U.S. exports to Bahrain?
The U.S.-Bahrain FTA provides new market access for U.S. consumer and industrial products as well as agricultural products. All bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products became duty-free immediately upon entry into force of the Agreement. In addition, Bahrain provides immediate duty-free access for U.S. agricultural exports in 98% of agricultural tariff lines. Bahrain will phase out tariffs on all remaining products within ten years. Bilateral trade in qualifying textiles and apparel goods became duty-free upon the date the Agreement entered into force, promoting new opportunities for U.S. and Bahraini fiber, yarn, fabric and apparel manufacturing. The Agreement requires most qualifying textiles and apparel to be made from either U.S. or Bahraini yarn and fabric and contains a temporary transitional allowance for textiles and apparel that do not meet these requirements (up to a specified limit), so that U.S. and Bahrain producers can develop and expand business contacts.
