A U.S. trade magazine says President Barack Obama's deadline to conclude working-level talks on ratifying the free trade agreement with South Korea by November has taken into account geopolitical considerations.

Obama set the target date at the Group of 20 Summit in Toronto late last month, saying he ordered officials to wrap up talks on the KORUS FTA before he visits Seoul in November for the next G20 summit.

“Inside U.S. Trade” says Obama's decision reflects Washington's clear message on the steadfast Seoul-Washington alliance.

The magazine quoted Communications Workers of America President Larry Cohen as saying that the U.S. aims to use the agreement as a way of informing both South and North Korea that Washington’s alliance with South Korea is steadfast.

The report said that prior to Obama's remark, the office of the U.S. Trade Representative had hinted at ratifying the FTA with Panama first, but that Obama's order pushed the KORUS FTA to the forefront.