Baucus rips Obama for not providing trade agreement timeline

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), whose committee oversees trade agreements, on Wednesday ripped President Obama for failing to give a timeline for congressional approval of trade deals in his State of the Union address.

Baucus wanted the president to announce a schedule for submitting the stalled trade pacts with Colombia and Panama to Congress for approval.

“Our free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama were signed more than three and a half years ago, so it’s extremely disappointing the president did not lay out a timeline for submitting them to Congress,” Baucus said.

“The delay has been costly for our ranchers, farmers and businesses, who are losing business to competitors from countries that have negotiated their own trade agreements with these fast-growing markets. To help Americans export their goods and services and create jobs here at home, it is time to quickly resolve any outstanding issues and send these agreements to Congress as soon as possible,” he added.

In the State of the Union, Obama called for approval of the renegotiated deal with South Korea, but only said he is committed to improving the other two FTAs.

"Last month, we finalized a trade agreement with South Korea that will support at least 70,000 American jobs," Obama said. "This agreement has unprecedented support from business and labor, Democrats and Republicans; and I ask this Congress to pass it as soon as possible."

Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp (R-Mich.) also issued a statement lamenting the lack of a timeline for the Colombia and Panama deals. Finance Committee ranking member Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) issued a statement calling for movement on them as well.

According to Ways and Means ranking member Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), Colombia is making progress in addressing human rights problems, so there may be an opportunity for that FTA to be considered soon.

Colombia has come under fire for its anti-unionist murders and inability to prosecute the culprits.

Levin said that Panama, having resolved concerns about its tax haven status, is now finalizing labor law changes that should lead to its agreement getting a vote. 

Baucus did not make any comments on the Korea deal in his e-mailed statement. Baucus was angered that the December renegotiation of the Korea deal did not fully open its market to U.S. beef exports. The market for some cuts remains closed due to Korean concern about mad cow disease, concerns the U.S. has said are not based in science. Sources have said that the administration is trying to find a way to placate Baucus in another way. 

Senator Baucus will actively oppose the Korea FTA if there isn't progress on the beef issue, an aide said.