ClickAJob News

An agreement has been struck between the White House and the US Congress over free trading regulations.

The new regulations will automatically apply to South American nations Peru and Panama, who are currently pending trading agreements with the US.

Current trade partners South Korea and Colombia will also be subject to the new policy.

Under the agreement, countries which begin free trade agreements with the US need to adopt and enforce basic international working standards for the staff in addition to agreeing to environmental legislature.

For the Peruvian government this would involve cracking down on illegal loggers in the country.

Further benefits would also be available to low-income citizens in the countries which sign free trade agreements with the US such as access to lower cost medication.

"Expanding opportunities for the sale of American goods and services is crucial to continued growth and job creation here in America," president George Bush commented.

However not all of the congressional Democrats are said to be happy with the outcome, despite the assertion by speaker of the house Nancy Pelosi that the agreement was a sign of progress.

Associated Press news agency reports that a number of Democrats with strong ties to labour issues felt that the new policy was not adequate to protect the rights of workers.