Bahrain Committed to Continuing Zero-Tariff Policy on US Goods

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

His Excellency Mr. Abdulla bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce, reiterated the historic and multifaceted relationship between Bahrain and the United States, underscoring the Kingdom’s commitment to enhancing economic and trade ties. This commitment aims to further increase bilateral trade in alignment with their strategic partnership.

In response to a proposal concerning the imposition of reciprocal tariffs on US imports submitted by a Member of Parliament, the Minister emphasised that the Government of Bahrain is committed to continuing its zero-tariff policy on US goods, and pursuing avenues to deepen trade relations with the United States building upon the landmark US-Bahrain Free Trade Agreement, implemented in 2006 as America’s first FTA in the Gulf region, continuing to strengthen what has become a model economic partnership.

Bahrain’s strategic position as the Gateway to the Gulf has enabled bilateral trade between the two nations to grow from USD 780m in 2005 to nearly USD 3 billion today, supported by our full tariff-free access for US goods – a policy that contributed to a US trade surplus of over $440million with the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2024 and an accumulated trade surplus of $4.4 billion since 2006.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has also cemented its role as a regional hub through initiatives like the dedicated US Trade Zone at Khalifa bin Salman Port, which provides an efficient gateway for American goods to reach the Kingdom of Bahrain and regional markets.

The Minister concluded by affirming that Bahrain remains dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for trade and investment, ensuring that the benefits of this strong partnership continue to flourish for both nations.