Historically, U.S. foreign trade policies have promoted free trade and embraced an open system that encourages fair and nondiscriminatory trade practices. The Office of the United States Trade Representative is responsible for developing and recommending national trade policy to the President and conducting trade negotiations. This office is part of the executive branch of government.

As a member of the World Trade Organization and in the spirit of fostering amicable foreign trade relations within a global economy, the U.S. has formed upwards of 280 trade agreements with nations worldwide. These include 11 free trade agreements with Australia, Bahrain, Central America and the Dominican Republic, Chile, Israel, Jordan, Morocco, North America and Singapore.

In 1999, the U.S. and Turkey formed a Trade and Investment Framework Agreement and launched an Economic Partnership Commission in 2002 to upgrade bilateral economic relations. As a result of these agreements, Turkey’s 2006 exports to the U.S. totaled about $5.4 billion, while U.S. exports to Turkey totaled $5.7 billion USD.

For a more detailed overview of U.S. foreign trade policies, visit the State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs or the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

Source: State Department’s Bureau of International Information Programs; U.S. Department of State; Trade Compliance Center