Korea, Colombia, Panama free trade deals advance

[Freddie Stubbs]

Source: Associated Press

WASHINGTON -- The White House said Wednesday it was ready to send U.S. trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea to Congress for approval, meeting Republican demands on an integral part of President Barack Obama's economic agenda.

The first step in the process, technical discussions with congressional aides, could begin as early as Thursday.

The White House finalized the South Korean pact, the largest of the three, in December and had hoped for quick approval. But Republicans threatened to block the deal unless the Obama administration also finalized agreements with Colombia and Panama. That breakthrough came in April, after months of negotiations.

Addressing U.S. concerns about the treatment of organized labor in Colombia, the Colombian government agreed to a series of moves to improve the protection of unions and labor leaders.


Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/05/04/2200556/white-house-ready-to-send-congress.html

[OhioChick]

1. More free trade deals in this economic climate??? n/t

[Freddie Stubbs]

4. All the more need to increase exports

[MrTriumph]

2. Another bad decision by the administration.

x

[Vincardog]

3. Why are job killing free trade flat earth deals "an integral part of President Barack Obama's

agenda"?

[Freddie Stubbs]

6. President Obama recognizes that increasing exports is necessary to improve the economy

[JDPriestly]

5. Horrors! The American people get to watch the chariots and gladiators

while Obama and Congress ship still more of our jobs and capital out of he country in order to enrich the already much too rich.

No amount of Osama-killing will make up for the decline in the standard of living of Americans due to Obama's trade policies (and the trade policies of Obama's predecessors in the White House).

[robcon]

7. Great news! Free trade should be worldwide

I believe there is no greater lever to improve the world's living conditions, as well as promote peace, than free trade agreements.

Worth celebrating.