On 18 November 2003 the USTR notified the United States Congress of the Administration's intent to initiate free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations with the Republic of Panama. Negotiations began in Panama City, Panama on 26 April 2004.  In February 2006, at the request of the Government of Panama the U.S. agreed to a technical review of the U.S. food safety inspection system. The U.S. President sent to Congress a notice of intent to enter into a free trade agreement with Panama on 30 March 2007. The FTA was signed on 28 June 2007.

On May 2, in Panama, both countries signed and Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), that complements the U.S.-Panama FTA.

Documents related to the negotiations
02 May 2012	Panama and United States sign an Environmental Cooperation Agreement
	Text of the U.S.-Panama Agreement on Environmental Cooperation
28 June 2007	Panama and the United States sign Trade Promotion Agreement
30 March 2007	Notice of Intention to Enter into a Free Trade Agreement with Panama
13 February 2006	Statement by US Chief Agriculture Negotiator regarding FTA negotiations
5 April 2005	Ninth round of negotiations
6 February 2005	Eighth round of negotiations
15 January 2005	Seventh round of negotiations
10 December 2004	Sixth round of negotiations
18 August 2004	Joint Statement by Panama and the United States on the fourth round of negotiations
11 June 2004	Joint Statement by Panama and the United States on the second round of negotiations
26 March 2004	U.S. and Panama to initiate negotiations on April 26
18 November 2003	Letter to U.S. House of Representatives notifying intent to initiate free trade talks with Panama
Source:  Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias de Panamá, Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), U.S. Department of State

On 28 June 2007, the USTR released the text of the U.S.-Panama TPA.

Panama's National Assembly ratified the agreement on 11 July 2007. The United States Congress approved the agreement on 12 October 2011. The President of the United States signed legislation implementing the agreement on 21 October 2011.

22 October 2012	United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement to enter into force on 31 October 2012
21 October 2011	U.S. President signs implementing legislation for the South Korea, Colombia and Panama Agreements
12 October 2011	The United States Congress approves the Colombia, South Korea and Panama Free Trade Agreements
05 October 2011	The United States House of Representatives Committee on Ways and Means approves the Colombia, South Korea and Panama Free Trade Agreements
03 October 2011	The President  of the United States submitted implementing legislation for the South Korea, Colombia and Panama Agreements
11 July 2007	Panama's National Assembly ratifies TPA
Source: Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias de Panamá, Official White House website

On 28 January 2014, U.S. and Panama held the First Meeting of the Labor Affairs Council under the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement.

Documents relating to the Labor Affairs Council
28 January 2014	Panama City, Panama. U.S. and Panama held First Meeting of the U.S.-Panama Labor Affairs Council
	Joint Statement of the Labor Affairs Council of the United States – Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
Source: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

Article 19.1 of the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement establishes the Free Trade Commission for the implementation and development of the Agreement. The Commission is comprised of cabinet-level representatives from both countries.

The first meeting of the Free Trade Commission (FTC) of the United States-Panama TPA took place on 28 May 2014, in Panama City, Panama. The second meeting of the Free Trade Commission was held in Washington, DC on November 22, 2016.

Documents relating to the Free Trade Commission
22 November 2016	Washington, DC, USA. Second Meeting of the Free Trade Commission: Joint Statement
28 May 2014	Panama City, Panama. First Meeting of the Free Trade Commission: Joint Statement
Source: Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

Documents relating to the Environmental Affairs Council
05 December 2022	Third Meeting of the Environmental Affairs Council under the United States-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement
Source:Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR)

• Ministerio de Comercio e Industrias de Panamá
• Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR)
• Official White House website
• U.S. Department of State