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Republicans call Obama trade policy 'schizophrenic' over delay on Panama pact

Wednesday, June 8, 2011


Top US Senate Republicans accused President Barack Obama of a "schizophrenic trade policy" and urged him to send free trade deals with South Korea, Colombia and Panama to Congress without further delay.

In back-to-back speeches on the Senate floor, Republican leader Mitch McConnell and Senator Orrin Hatch blasted the White House for refusing to submit the agreements until lawmakers agree to renew the federal Trade Adjustment Assistance program at or near 2009 levels.

"At a time when 14 million Americans are looking for work, they actually want to hold off on these known job-creating agreements in exchange for a green light to spend more money. It's astonishing," McConnell said.

Original source: Reuters