Washington - The United States is reviewing existing free- trade deals and will take other countries to task for adopting illegal trade barriers, the country's top trade official said Tuesday.

US Trade Representative Ron Kirk said the administration was developing a list of countries and programmes that violate international trade law and is prepared to take offenders before the World Trade Organization or other bilateral forums.

We must work to open new markets around the world for American farmers, manufacturers, ranchers and service providers, and at the same time ensure that American workers are reaping the promised benefits of previous agreements through strong enforcement," Kirk said in a statement.

In the annual National Trade Estimate Report submitted to Congress, the first since President Barack Obama took office, the government also said it was reviewing existing trade deals for environmental and labour standards.

The trade estimate outlines barriers to US exports, documenting complaints with 58 countries as well as the European Union and other regional bodies.

Both Obama and Kirk have said they want to prioritize the enforcement of existing trade deals over new agreements and have promised greater protections for US workers.

With the global economy in recession, a number of countries have adopted trade-restricting measures or boosted subsidies to their local industries to protect jobs. The World Bank said 17 of the 20 major economies holding a summit in London this week have adopted policies that restrict trade.

During the presidential campaign, Obama said he would renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement with Canada and Mexico. New trade deals with Colombia, Panama and South Korea have also stalled in Congress over the past year. (dpa)