The Washington Post has blasted U.S. political bickering over pending free trade agreements (FTA), including one with South Korea.

In its Sunday editorial, the paper said that President Obama and the Republicans have both played politics with trade and both have inappropriately linked South Korea, Colombia and Panama to more peripheral matters.

It warned that the three deals may not be ratified before Congress goes into recess in August due to political strife.

It urged the Republicans, who have supported the trade deals, to engage in negotiations.

The White House and the Democrats have called for ratifying the FTAs and extending the Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) program simultaneously. The Republicans, who are wary of conservative voters who oppose government spending, say that if the TAA condition is not retracted, it will block the action on the confirmation of Obama's nominee for commerce secretary.