Research

This morning, The Washington Post’s editorial page editor Fred Hiatt posed a simple question:

In a world of dangerously failed states and willful challengers to American leadership, South Korea is an astoundingly successful democracy that wants to be friends. But will America say yes? …

The two nations have signed a free-trade agreement that [South Korean President Lee Myung-bak] believes would -- in addition to bringing obvious economic benefit to both sides -- seal a crucial alliance and promote stability throughout Northeast Asia. But President Obama has yet to submit the agreement to Congress for ratification or say when he might do so.

President Obama has been in office for 14 months, and despite his regular lip service for free trade, his administration continues to stall any movement toward job creating trade agreements – including this important agreement with longtime ally South Korea.  So why, after promising to pivot towards jobs, would the Obama administration not be interested in ratifying this trade agreement?

The answer, unsurprisingly, is that the union bosses that helped get Obama elected are now dictating Obama’s trade policy. Despite the fact that “[e]very analysis shows [the South Korean Free Trade Agreement] would benefit most American consumers and industries,” unions remain opposed to it:

The Teamsters, United Steelworkers and Communications Workers of America are among the groups saying they will fight to defeat free trade deals with Panama, Colombia and South Korea if they are brought to Congress. All three free trade agreements (FTAs) were negotiated by the Bush administration.

If President Obama is truly serious about creating jobs and encouraging other countries to remain our steadfast allies, he will finally take action on this and other important agreements. As The Washington Post recently noted, “A failure to pass the Colombia and Korea agreements would be bad news for American companies and American workers.”