New York Times yearns for the passage of more free trade agreements

[marmar]

NYT:



WASHINGTON — Even with almost zero common ground between them, President Obama and Republicans in Congress generally concur on the need for free-trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama. But they disagree on whose fault it is that those agreements — years in the making — have still not been approved.

For weeks, President Obama has derided Congress for failing to pass the agreements, as well as a measure that would provide money to assist workers displaced by foreign competition. “The only thing preventing us from passing these bills is the refusal by some in Congress to put country ahead of party,” he said at a recent news conference.

Senior Republicans in Congress have howled in protest, pointing out that the agreements have not left the president’s desk to journey to the Hill for a vote.

“We have made abundantly clear publicly and privately that the House is prepared to vote on all three trade agreements,” said Kevin Smith, a spokesman for Speaker John A. Boehner, adding that the same goes for the bill to provide money to assist workers. “The only thing holding us up is the fact those trade bills are still sitting on the president’s desk.” ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/08/26/us/politics/26trade.html?_r=1&ref=politics

[Enrique]

1. the story makes passing, and nonsensical, reference to democratic opposition

this is the only part where it's mentioned, and it seems designed to make no sense:

When the Democrats controlled Congress, they resisted the trade agreements because they feared they would harm American workers. Then came the Obama administration, which insisted, as part of any trade deal, on renewing a program to assist people adversely affected and adding $964 million to the effort. That linkage has met resistance from Republicans.

[marmar]

2. Agreed. This article is incredibly slanted.

nt

[izquierdista]

3. Rip them up

and put in an across the board 25% tariff.

Oh, I know, that would create such logistical problems, too many factories opening and too few workers to man them.