U.S. Chamber kicks off effort to move Korea FTA

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce on Wednesday will kick off a multi-city tour to move the U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement closer to enforcement. 

The trade pact has been stalled since the two countries inked the deal in June of 2007. 

If approved, the U.S. International Trade Commission estimates the agreement would add $10 billion to $12 billion to the U.S. GDP and boost exports to Korea by $10 billion. 

The Chamber contends the deal dovetails with President Obama's National Export Initiative that looks to increase jobs by boosting exports. 

Most congressional Democrats oppose the the pact and contend it treats U.S. car manufacturers unfairly.

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk recently said the agreement would not be enforced until South Korea opened its doors to U.S. automakers. 

The recently inked trade deal between the EU and South Korea eliminates tariffs on cars in 3 to 5 years. 

Under the U.S.-- Korea deal, Korea eliminates auto tariffs immediately. The U.S. eliminates them within 3 years.