The difference between Obama and Republicans on free trade agreements

The difference is in the messaging to Americans who lose their jobs. Both the Obama Administration and Congressional Republicans want to enact three new free trade agreements that will offshore more American jobs. The Republicans want to enact the FTAs and say to the displaced workers, "Drop dead!" Obama wants to enact the FTAs and say to displaced workers, "Here's some federal money to get trained for jobs that already have a glut of applicants. Lotsa luck!"

As reported in Bloomberg Business Week:

The White House says it will not send Congress final legislation on three coveted free trade agreements unless lawmakers expand retraining assistance for American workers who lose their jobs because of foreign competition.

. . . .

The White House's insistence that the trade deals be linked to the TAA [Trade Adjustment Assistance] program comes as administration officials hold talks with Congress to finalize the agreements it reached with South Korea, Panama and Colombia. Republicans broadly support the pacts and Obama has said they are integral to his economic agenda.