Time short for Bush's tattered trade agenda

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/opinion/64122.php

PHILIP BRASHER
When each day's headlines seem to bring news of toxic toys or tainted foods, it isn't easy to sell the public on the benefits of increased trade.

But the Bush administration is pushing ahead with what is left of its once-ambitious trade agenda. The biggest prize - a global agreement to lower trade barriers and farm subsidies - remains elusive.
That leaves four bilateral trade agreements the administration negotiated with Peru, Colombia, Panama and South Korea that still need to be ratified by Congress.

The deals with Peru and Panama have the best chance of getting through the Democrat-controlled Congress, but time is getting short with an election year right around the corner.

"We know that once we get into December, it's going to be that much more difficult to get anything on trade because it's a presidential election year. Trade votes are never easy," said Chris Garza, who follows trade issues for the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Democrats won control of Congress last year with strong labor support and the help of a backlash against trade liberalization in many regions of the country.

FULL story at link.