A top White House official says the Obama administration will not submit three pending free trade agreements (FTA), including one with South Korea, without an agreement on extending a program that supports Americans affected by the trade pacts.

National Economic Council Director Gene Sperling said on Tuesday that the White House will not submit the FTAs without an agreement on an enhanced TAA, or Trade Adjustment Assistance.

However, he was quick to add that the White House believes it can work with congressional leadership to accomplish renewing the TAA program.

Sperling’s remarks marked the first time for a top White House official to publicly link the ratification of the trade deals with extending the workers’ aid program.