The Barack Obama administration in the U.S. says it is "developing a plan of action to address the pending free trade agreements in consultation with Congress."

In the 2009 Trade Policy Agenda and 2008 Annual Report submitted to Congress last week, the U.S. Trade Representative said it plans to "establish benchmarks for progress on the Columbian and South Korean FTAs."

The Obama adminstration has been critical of free trade deals signed under President George W. Bush. The latest pledge could hasten moves on ratifying the Korea-U.S. FTA.

Experts say the report is significant in that it carries the first comprehensive trade policy vision of the Obama adminstration since it took office on January 20th.

But the U.S. trade representative did not say what needs to be resolved before the FTAs with Korea, Panama and Columbia could be endorsed.