USTR's Office of Environment and Natural Resources (ENR) is responsible for negotiating and monitoring compliance with the environment chapters in all bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in accordance with the congressionally established trade negotiating objectives set forth in the current Trade Promotion Authority Act (TPA), formally the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, and taking into account public and stakeholder input. Existing environment chapters include obligations such as effective enforcement of environmental laws, not weakening environmental protections in order to encourage increased trade or investment, domestic procedural protections, and promotion of public participation in environmental matters. The most recent, ground-breaking U.S.-Canada-Mexico Agreement additionally includes first-ever U.S. FTA enforceable commitments to combat illegal fishing and wildlife trafficking, promote sustainable fishing practices and marine conservation, and address other pressing environmental issues such as air quality and marine litter.
The Environment chapters of all existing U.S. FTAs are below.
Free Trade Agreements and the Environment
Australia Free Trade Agreement - Environment Chapter Agreement Text
Bahrain Free Trade Agreement - Environment Chapter Agreement Text
CAFTA-DR - Joint Communique of the Fourteenth Meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council / Environment Chapter Agreement Text / Environmental Cooperation Agreement / Information at State.gov / Secretariat for Environmental Matters
Chile FTA - Joint Communique of the Ninth Meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council/ Environment Chapter Agreement Text / Environmental Cooperation Agreement / Information at State.gov
Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement - Environment Chapter Agreement Text / Secretariat for Environmental Enforcement Matters
Jordan Free Trade Agreement - Environment Chapter Agreement Text
Korea (KORUS) - Environment Chapter Agreement Text
Morocco Free Trade Agreement - Environment Chapter Agreement Text
North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) - Agreement on Environmental Cooperation Text / Commission for Environmental Cooperation
Oman Free Trade Agreement - Environment Chapter Agreement Text
Panama Trade Promotion Agreement - Environment Chapter Agreement Text / Environmental Cooperation Agreement / Secretariat for Environmental Enforcement Matters
Peru Trade Promotion Agreement (PTPA) - Environment Chapter Agreement Text / Environmental Cooperation Agreement /Information on Implementation of the Environment Chapter / Secretariat for Environmental Enforcement Matters
Singapore Free Trade Agreement - Environment Chapter Agreement Text
United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) – Environment Chapter Agreement Text / Environment Cooperation and Customs Verification Agreement between the United States and Mexico / Environmental Cooperation Agreement / Information on Implementation of the Environment Chapter
