The Korea FTA is opposed by all organized labor groups, except the United Auto Workers Union, which in the view of critics sold out organized labor for the promise that 75,000 UAW-built vehicles would be exported to Korea. Thus far, Ford and General Motors, all with new four-year UAW contracts, have not announced plans to export to Korea, although it is expected they will. In a statement at the time the FTA passed Congress, Ford said it would help the sale of American-made Focuses, Tauruses, Mustangs, Escapes, and Explorers, among other cars and trucks.

Chrysler Group currently exports a small number of Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge vehicles to South Korea – now ~2,600 annually – and did so before the FTA. Chrysler anticipates expanding the exports under what it says is a more equitable trade agreement, but has not announced any actions.

President Obama has said that the Korean FTA would not have been possible without the help of the UAW. Critics say the FTA will cause the loss of more U.S. manufacturing jobs, under the “no jobs” Obama Administration.