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Administration wants public support for FTA’s

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk says the Obama administration recognizes the benefits of trade to the U.S. economy.  But he says they won’t send free trade agreements with Columbia, Panama and South Korea to Capitol Hill for approval until the American public reaches the same conclusion.

Kirk cited a recent NBC News-Wall Street Journal poll showing nearly 70 percent of Americans don’t see the value of exports. But at the same time, Kirk acknowledges that all three pending FTA’s would provide market access and help add U.S. jobs. 

Kirk says his office is rushing to finalize the Korea FTA by mid-November when President Obama meets with other G20 leaders in Asia.  He indicated that a timetable for getting that FTA and the other two pending trade deals to the Hill would be announced after the mid-term elections.