A group of concerned U.S. lawmarkers Friday called on the Obama administration to “engage aggressively” in the pending free trade agreement with South Korea and other countries to help revive the sagging U.S. economy.
"A pro-growth trade agenda should be integral to that economic recovery,” Senate Finance Committee member Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said in a news conference that was also attended by Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Charles Rangel (D-NY) and Rep. Dave Camp (R-MI), Yonhap reported.
Baucus called on the Obama administration to "engage aggressively in trade and that includes trade agreements."
It is, however, unclear whether the legislators’ appeal will have a change of heart on the newly inaugurated president Obama. During the presidential campaign trail, Obama expressed negative views on the FTA with South Korea, citing it would undercut jobs in the U.S.
The Korea FTA, signed in 2007, is still awaiting ratification by both the U.S. Congress and South Korea's National Assembly, which has not yet begun deliberating it, citing growing protectionist sentiments in the U.S.
A congressional hearing is scheduled for Thursday to approve U.S. Trade Representative nominee Ron Kirk, who will play a pivotal role in the Obama administration's handling of the pending FTAs.