US firms urge action on fast-track trade authority Obama’s upcoming trip to Asia seen as opportunity to push a deal

WASHINGTON: US businesses have urged President Barack Obama to make a case for fast-track authority on trade agreements before his upcoming trip to Asia, which is seen as an opportunity to push a Pacific trade deal.

Myron Brilliant, head of international affairs for the US Chamber of Commerce, said Obama should send a signal about trade in the time between mid-term US elections on Nov 4 and an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (Apec) summit in China on Nov 10-Nov 11.