Obama urges Bush to back fast aid for auto industry

Washington: US President-elect Barack Obama asked President George W. Bush at their White House meeting on Monday to support an immediate emergency aid for the US auto industry, The New York Times reported.

The newspaper said Bush indicated he might support some aid to struggling automakers if Obama drops opposition to a free-trade pact with Colombia.

Obama has been vocal about immediate support for the auto industry, calling it the "backbone of American manufacturing."

General Motors Corp, Ford Motor Co and Chrysler LLC are looking for up to $25 billion in emergency loans that backers say is needed to prevent the industry's collapse.