Obama Lures Trade-Deal Support From Business as Republicans Balk

President Barack Obama won support of the largest U.S. business lobbying groups while Republicans balked at his plans to attach aid for displaced workers to stalled trade deals with South Korea, Panama and Colombia.

The endorsement from groups including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, which represents companies such as Pfizer Inc. and PepsiCo Inc., came with a call for Republicans to drop their objections. It was a turnaround for business leaders, who in the past joined Republicans in criticizing Obama’s policies.