The United States–Singapore Free Trade Agreement was signed at Washington on 6 May 2003, in the East Room of the White House, by President George W. Bush and Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong. Two originals. The DONE formula is not transcribed. It is not the United States implementing act signed on 3 September 2003.

The preamble invokes their longstanding friendship and trade and investment relationship, open and competitive markets, multilateral liberalisation, the Marrakesh Agreement establishing the WTO, the APEC goals, transparency and the elimination of bribery, and the interdependence of economic development, social development and environmental protection. The Parties reaffirm their rights and obligations under the WTO and other agreements to which both are party.

Article 1.1: the Parties establish a free trade area, consistent with Article XXIV of GATT 1994 and Article V of GATS. They reaffirm their existing rights and obligations, including the WTO Agreement. This Agreement shall not be construed to derogate from any international legal obligation between the Parties that entitles goods or services, or suppliers, to treatment more favourable than that accorded by this Agreement. Article 1.2 and Annex 1A define, as a principle, each Party’s customs territory. Rules of origin are not transcribed.

Chapter 2: national treatment and market access for goods. Each Party shall accord national treatment to the goods of the other Party in accordance with GATT. Tariff schedules, quotas and a customs-evasion handbook are not transcribed. Later chapters address, again as a principle, services, investment, intellectual property, government procurement, competition and the environment, without transcribing a visa or licensing regulation.

Article 21.5 reaffirms the commitment to effective measures against bribery in international business transactions and cooperation to promote transparency. Article 21.6: any country or group of countries may accede on terms agreed with the Parties and after applicable legal procedures, provided the Agreement shall not apply as between a Party and an acceding country if either does not consent. The Annexes form an integral part. Amendments in writing enter into force after written notification that internal legal procedures are complete.

Article 21.9: entry into force 60 days after the Parties have exchanged written notification that their internal requirements are fulfilled, or on such other date as they may agree; they agreed 1 January 2004. Either Party may terminate by written notification, taking effect six months later. Within 30 days of that notification, consultations may be requested on whether any provision should terminate later. The House of Representatives passed the implementing bill on 24 July 2003, the Senate on 31 July.

Cover: the North Portico of the White House, the place of signature; no claim is made to the East Room. Wikimedia Commons, free licence.

Sources consulted: Singapore–United States Free Trade Agreement; United States – Singapore Free Trade Agreement.