Geithner says Obama wants Panama and Colombia trade pacts passed this year

US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner gave the Obama administration's clearest statement yet that it wants to work with Congress to approve three long-delayed trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and  Panama this year.

Republicans have been pushing for action by July 1 on all three agreements, which were signed during the administration of former President George W. Bush.

Not all Democrats oppose the Colombia and Panama agreements, which would phase out tariffs on US exports while locking in current duty-free access to the United States.

Original source: Reuters