AGCC upset with members signing FTAs with the US
- Khaleej Times

QUOTE
Unilateral signing of free trade agreements by individual AGCC states with the US is irritating the Secretariat-General of the six-nation bloc, as it views it as an obstacle on the path towards implementation of AGCC Unified Customs Regulations, a senior official at the Secretariat told Khaleej Times here yesterday.

“Signing of free trade agreements by member-states unilaterally is irritating the Secretariat. Such a move is an obstacle on our way towards implementation of the long-awaited Unified Customs Regulations,” the official said, requesting anonymity. Bahrain unilaterally signed the FTA with USA in September 2004. UAE will begin negotiations to sign similar agreements here tomorrow.

Oman is also preparing to sign a similar agreement with the US.
UNQUOTE

My emphasis. The issue of the FTAs with the US isn't new news, but I don't believe it's been mentioned The Emirates Economist before.