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The United States Current Bilateral/Multilateral FTA's Proposed/Suspended Bilateral/Multilateral FTA's

The United States is party to many free trade agreements (FTAs) worldwide.

[edit] History

Similar to other industrial nations, the United States has a long history of opposition to free trade. Protectionism and isolationism were prevailing economic traditions for much of the 19th century.

Opposition to free trade in the United States can be traced back to Washington's Farewell Address, in which he advised the young nation to avoid "entangling alliances." This was meant to prevent America from developing permanent friends or enemies abroad. Due to the nation's military weakness after its birth, many people, especially the Jeffersonians held the belief that America must turn inward and avoid possible future conflicts with more powerful European nations.

During the 19th Century, the United States benefited from the Congress of Vienna, which created a relatively conflict-free century. At this time, America was left alone to solve its internal problems such as the US Civil War, enlarge the territory, and industrialize. By the late 1890s, America emerged as an important power on the Western Hemisphere, if not in the world.

Beginning with the Theodore Roosevelt administration, the United States became a major player in international trade, especially with its neighboring territories in the Caribbean and Latin America. This was followed by World War I, in which the United States played the decisive role in determining the outcome of the war. President Wilson proposed the League of Nations, and he convinced many countries to join, save his own.

[edit] Past free trade agreements

Canada: Canada-United States Free Trade Agreement (1988; superseded by the NAFTA)

[edit] Free trade agreements in force

The United States FTA in force FTA signed, awaiting ratification

Here is a list of free trade agreements of which the United States is part. In parentheses, the abbreviation, if applicable, membership if not stated before, and the date of coming into force are to be seen.