U.S. Congress urges caution Trump administration's KORUS FTA amendment

U.S. Congress has called on the Trump administration to take caution on discussions over the amendment of the Korea-U.S. free trade agreement. It is a warning signal to the Trump administration, which unilaterally pushed for amending the free trade agreement. Some analysts say that the issue is getting more complicated with political and economic interests if the Congress adds intervention in the trade deal negotiation.  

Four leaders of the Senate and House of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer, urging the office to consult closely with Congress before meeting with South Korean delegates and throughout its discussions.

"The U.S. trade agreement with South Korea remains a key cornerstone of U.S. economic and strategic engagement in the Asia-Pacific region," the congressmen said in the letter. "Preserving and strengthening the strong economic relationship between the United States and South Korea is particularly important today with rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula."

U.S. Congress appears to draw a basic line by saying discussions over the amendment of the KORUS free trade agreement should not change the current economic and security cooperation with Korea, its key ally, while checking the unilateral action by the Trump administration. Some say, however, the active intervention by Congress could add complexity to the discussions over the free trade deal. 

Yong Park parky@donga.com