Trade officials continue working toward implementing trade deals

U.S. and South Korean trade officials continued meetings this week to work toward implementing the accord between the two nations. 

The delegations are meeting Monday and Tuesday to review laws and regulations as officials aim to get the trade pact ready to go by the start of 2012 and as soon as possible. 

The U.S. Trade Representative also is continuing to work with the governments of Colombia and Panama — the other two pacts Congress passed in October — to bring those agreements into force.

U.S. and Korean officials also met earlier this month as ongoing discussions have ramped up since South Korea's National Assembly approved the deal on Nov. 22.

"We’re working closely with each country to ensure requirements are met and agreements are implemented as quickly as possible," U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said.

Congress cleared the deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia on Oct. 12 — the Korea trade deal is by far the most economically meaningful of the three for the United States.