Our contact with high-level Administration officials confirms that, barring a last minute glitch or unforeseen circumstances, the U.S.-Morocco Free Trade Agreement will go into effect on July 1, 2005.
The first stage of duty reductions/eliminations under the agreement will be in effect for entries made as of that date. In addition, tariff rate quotas on relevant products under the agreement will be reduced by 50 percent for the period July 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005, after which the quantities specified in the agreement will remain in force.
We will continue to monitor the implementation status very closely, and advise the Association immediately if any “last minute glitch or unforeseen circumstance” seems to take form on the horizon. For commercial planning purposes, interested Members are encouraged to move forward under the assumption that the July 1 implementation date will stick, but to prepare for a “failsafe” plan, such as provision for holding goods in a bonded warehouse.
In the meantime, any Member with questions on this matter is urged to contact Bob Bauer or Jeff Levin.
