WASHINGTON: The US Congress on Wednesday approved long-stalled free trade agreements with Colombia, Panama and South Korea that President Barack Obama trumpeted as engines of growth and job-creation.
The accords will "significantly boost exports that bear the proud label 'Made in America,' support tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs and protect labor rights, the environment and intellectual property," Obama cheered.
The three deals sailed through by wide margins despite stiff opposition from labor unions historically allied with Democrats and from lawmakers fearful the pacts could finish off their home states' wounded manufacturing sectors.
The Republican-held House of Representatives votes were 262-167 for Colombia, 300-129 for Panama, and 278-151 for South Korea. The Democratic-led Senate approved South Korea by 83-15, Panama by 77-22, and Colombia by 66-33.
The House also approved a Senate-passed measure aimed at helping US workers displaced by overseas competition, a measure the White House and its Democratic allies had made a precondition for advancing the trade deals.
"The landmark trade agreements and assistance for American workers that passed tonight are a major win for American workers and businesses," the embattled president said in a statement.
Obama had made passing the accords -- negotiated and signed some five years ago under his predecessor, George W. Bush -- a core part of his strategy to battle 9.1 percent unemployment ahead of November 2012 elections.
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