A leading U.S. lawmaker is suggesting that solutions to problems facing the U.S. automobile industry must be included in the Korea-U.S. free trade deal if it is to be ratified by Congress.

Charles Rangel, the chairman of the House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee, made the remark while attending an event in Washington hosted by the Korea Foundation to promote traditional Korean food.

He added that the U.S. Congress will begin reviewing a bill to ratify the trade treaty only after such a move is requested by U.S. President Barack Obama.

However, Rangel expressed overall support for the trade pact, calling it “a good agreement.”

The event was attended by other prominent U.S. figures, such as former Secretary of State Colin Powell and the conductor Lorin Maazel.