Obama to Seek Passage of South Korea Free Trade Agreement After November Visit

June 27, 2010

During remarks following his June 26, 2010, meeting with President Lee Myung-Bak at the G-20 Summit in Canada, President Obama announced a timeframe for advancing the signed free trade agreement with South Korea (FTA). In his announcement, he stated that he intends to send it to congress in “the few months” following his November trip to South Korea.

According to statements made by other administration officials, the White House will begin some consultations with Congress and key stakeholders and then direct the U.S. Trade Representative to enter into discussions with his Korean counterpart with the goal of resolving the outstanding issues, including non-tariff measures related to automobiles and beef by the time the President leaves for Korea on November 11^th.

Despite the administration's new push to move the FTA forward, key lawmakers remain skeptical. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-MT) welcomed the new effort, but cautioned that he has “long held serious concerns” about Korea’s nonscientific barriers to U.S. Beef. Meanwhile, House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Sander Levin (D-MI) stated that “the date targeted by the President can be met only if the outstanding issues are fully addressed with enforceable commitments."