Officials, experts expect dramatic shift in trade strategy under Obama, new Congress

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sunday, 12.07.08
Officials, experts expect dramatic shift in trade strategy under Obama, new Congress
By JACK CHANG
McClatchy Newspapers

WASHINGTON -- U.S. trade strategy probably will change dramatically when the Obama administration and new Congress take power in January, with U.S. negotiators forgoing the kinds of bilateral free-trade agreements popular with the Bush administration, according to Democratic officials and experts.

Such a switch could put at risk agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea that already have been signed and are awaiting Congress' approval.

The Colombia agreement, in particular, has received intense public scrutiny as Democratic leaders cite a rash of killings of Colombian union activists as reasons for holding off on approving it.

The political differences, however, reach more deeply than just the three pending agreements. Many congressional leaders haven't been happy with the Bush strategy of negotiating individual treaties with small countries, saying that it's sapped momentum for regional trade pacts such as the long-delayed Free Trade Area of the Americas.

More:
http://www.miamiherald.com/news/politics/AP/story/80295...