American business bodies have urged U.S. President Barack Obama to step up efforts for the ratification of the South Korea-U.S. free trade agreement (FTA) and to respond actively to Asia’s move to integrate the regional economy.

The president of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Thomas Donahue, pointed out that the United States remains as a spectator while Asian countries adopt new policies.

Donahue went on to say that it is time for the U.S. government to take action in order to create jobs and expand trade with the Asian region.