Battle Over Free Trade Agreements

While Ambassador Kirk provided news that President intends to submit the Korea FTA to Congress “in the next few weeks” with hopes of approval by spring, Republicans pulled the bill that would have reauthorized the Andean Trade Preference Act for six months and extended the Trade Adjustment Assistance program.

Ambassador Kirk indicated that he has been directed to move forward to resolve the remaining issues with Columbia and Panama so that those agreements could be presented to Congress this year. Kirk indicated that the remaining issues were significant and included protection of labor rights. The parties need to be prepared to take significant actions to resolve these issues in order for the process to move forward timely.

Although Committee Chairman Dave Camp indicated that the labor issues were impeding passage of other items on the trade agenda, such as the ATPA and TAA, he might as well have said that the Republicans were going to hold extension of the ATPA and TAA hostage until they get what they want for the new FTAs.

Stay tuned, this battle isn’t over yet!