Labor, Greens Denounce Trade Policy; Want Bush's Authority Curtailed

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Byline: Steve Hirsch, THE WASHINGTON TIMES

Labor and environment groups and their allies yesterday lashed out at the Bush administration's trade policy, criticizing both the administration's move to extend the president's trade-negotiating authority and its efforts to negotiate a free-trade agreement with South Korea.

The move came a day after business groups joined with the administration in pushing for renewal of "trade-promotion authority," which allows President Bush to submit trade agreements to Congress for an up-or-down vote without amendments.

Major business groups and the administration say extending the authority past June 30 is critical for the …