US Trade Representative Ron Kirk today promised a major push to open up foreign trade markets and avoid protectionist policies as the world goes through its worst recession in six decades, according to dpa. But Kirk insisted that protections for US workers would be a key part of any new trade deal, and said President Barack Obama was still reviewing stalled agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea before sending them to Congress for approval. "An aggressive effort to keep trade flowing and open more markets to American goods and services absolutely must be a big part of our economic recovery here at home," Kirk said in a speech at Washington's Georgetown University. But he added: "Our efforts to trade fairly and freely with the world must work for Americans here at home." Kirk has signalled a shift in recent weeks in the Obama administration's trade policy, emphasizing that the US will make a stronger effort to reach new free trade deals. Kirk earlier this year had`saZ #)eru`as +/!deal fever" in the United States. Global trade is expected to plummet by its fastest rate in 80 years in 2009, and Kirk warned against countries' withdrawing into their own markets in response to the global recession. "In times of extraordinary crisis, it's hard for people and for nations to remain objective. The temptation is to turn inward," Kirk said. "But the truth is that jobs do come when trade policy is done right." Kirk said the United States was still hoping to revive the Doha round of global trade talks and also suggested the US might take new steps to prop up exports in the world's poorest countries. "We are committed to promoting policies that help even the poorest developing countries succeed," Kirk said.
