USTR backs away from Panama free trade deal.

The United States Trade Representative has backed off pursuing Congressional approval of the Panama and Columbia trade agreements negotiated by President Bush. In a meeting with a half dozen congressional Democrats who have vociferously opposed the free trade agenda, USTR Ron Kirk told them that the administration will not pursue those deals until it has completed its formal review of the government's trade policy. Rep. Mike Michaud, chairman of the House Trade Working Group, "applauded" the administration's decision to postpone the Panama deal. "It also appears they are not willing to move forward on the Colombia deal until the continuing labor and human rights problems are resolved," he said.

Michaud was joined in the meeting by Representatives Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), Bruce Braley (D-Iowa), Michael Arcuri (D-N.Y.), Phil Hare (D-Ill.), Betty Sutton (D-Ohio), and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio). They discussed with Kirk the TRADE Act, which currently has 111 co-sponsors, including half of the Democratic full committee chairmen. Michaud told Kirk: "This is the opportunity to instill meaningful reform to ensure that our trade policy not only benefits the bottom lines of multinational corporations but also creates opportunities for American businesses and American workers and promotes strong labor and environmental standards throughout the world."

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