Lying Liars

Fact Check: Romney Says No New Trade Agreements

During his speech in Ohio today, Mitt Romney made the erroneous claim that President Obama had negotiated no new trade agreements with other nations during his first time in office.

That's a lie.

President Obama signed a trade agreement with Colombia on May 15th, 2012, and signed a trade agreement with Korea on March 15th, 2012.

The president also signed a trade agreement with Panama on October 21, 2011 which has not come into effect yet.

Furthermore, Republicans in congress spent much of 2011 obstructing and postponing the trade agreements, which is why they weren't signed until recently. The Republicans also blocked attempts to confirm the secretary of commerce until their terms were met.