White House threatens to hold up trade deals unless Congress expands aid for US workers

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

White House threatens to hold up trade deals unless Congress expands aid for US workers
By Associated Press, Updated: Monday, May 16, 11:30 AM

WASHINGTON — The White House is threatening to hold up final passage of three coveted free trade agreements unless lawmakers expand retraining assistance for American workers who lose their jobs because of foreign competition.

The move comes as administration officials begin talks on Capitol Hill to finalize the agreements the White House reached to expand trade with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. President Barack Obama has said the deals are an integral part of his economic agenda, and the pacts have broad Republican support.

While administration officials have long said they supported expanding the Trade Adjustment Assistance Program, or TAA, Monday’s announcement was the first time aides said they would be willing to delay the deals without it.

“We will not submit the FTAs without an agreement on an enhanced TAA,” said Gene Sperling, director of the National Economic Council. “But we also believe we can work on congressional leadership to get that accomplished.”



Read more: http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/white-house-threatens-to-hold-up-trade-deals-unless-congress-expands-aid-for-us-workers/2011/05/16/AFJKWq4G_story.html