Ron Kirk still hopes to submit trade deals with Colombia and Panama

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk said he still hopes to submit free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama this year.

Kirk told a House Appropriations subcommittee that the Obama administration has intensified talks with the two countries "so that we can resolve outstanding issues and then submit those trade agreements to Congress this year."

The administration has urged Congress to move forward with passing a trade agreement with South Korea, but many Republicans are insisting that all three deals be sent up to Congress together.

Original source: Dow Jones