This is what Dean was talking about:

The US Congress has approved free trade agreements with South Korea, Colombia and Panama, ending a four-year drought in the forming of new trade partnerships and giving the White House and Capitol Hill the opportunity to show they can work together to stimulate the economy and put people back to work.

The House of Representatives and Senate voted in rapid succession on the three trade pacts, which the administration says could boost exports by $13bn (£8.25bn) and support tens of thousands of American jobs. None of the votes was close, despite opposition from labour groups and other critics of free trade agreements who say they result in job losses and ignore labour rights problems in the partner countries.

President Barack Obama said passage of the agreements was “a major win for American workers and businesses”.

“Tonight’s vote, with bipartisan support, will significantly boost exports that bear the proud label ‘Made in America’, support tens of thousands of good-paying American jobs and protect labour rights, the environment and intellectual property … I look forward to signing these agreements,” Obama said.

Dean Baker is shrill.