United States and Israel Sign Their Free Trade Agreement
1985-04-22
American trade representative William Brock and Israeli industry and trade minister Ariel Sharon signed a free trade agreement in Washington on 22 April 1985. After Ronald Reagan signed the implementing legislation in June, it entered into force later that year as the first American agreement of its kind. [1] [2]
Reagan and Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir had agreed in 1983 to explore closer commercial ties. Congress authorized negotiations and approved the resulting agreement. [1]
The agreement sought to reduce trade barriers and encourage investment, with a joint committee to address difficulties as they arose. Agricultural trade needed further arrangements, and customs and standards remained subjects for negotiation. [2]
Related Diplomats
Sources
- Statement on signing the U.S.–Israel Free Trade Area Implementation Act — Reagan Library
1983 initiative; April 22 signature; June 11 implementing legislation
- Israel Free Trade Agreement — U.S. Trade Representative
First U.S. FTA; entry into force, 1985; joint committee and agricultural arrangements
- Diplomatic Representation for State of Israel — incoming chiefs chronology
- Former Ambassadors to the U.S.
- David Ben-Gurion Centennial Committee correspondence, 23 October 1985
Related Reading
Cite This Article
United States and Israel Sign Their Free Trade Agreement. Chanceries Diplopedia. Record 7079351eaa2c8f9f01e9. https://chanceries.org/research/history/israel-trade-1985-838652fc03/