President Obama did not get one of the things he came for in South Korea: A free trade agreement.

Obama and South Korean President Lee Myung-Bak ordered negotiators back to work today to try and resolve disputes about new trade rules for cars and beef.

"My goal is reciprocal trade," Obama said today. "That is a win-win for both countries. I think that can be achieved."

Lee said that he and Obama "will continue to work together so that we can have a mutually acceptable agreement at the earliest possible date."

The delayed agreement may also delay a political headache for Obama.

Many Democrats, including labor unions as well as members of Congress, have long opposed free trade deals, saying they allow U.S. jobs to be shipped overseas. American car makers and beef producers have criticized the South Korea proposal in particular, saying the Koreans won't want to open their markets to their U.S. products.

On the other hand, the U.S. business community -- already critical of Obama over health care and other issues -- is pushing for the South Korean free trade agreement.

Thomas J. Donohue, CEO of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, said organization is "disappointed" that the deal hasn't gotten done, "but we understand that progress was made and differences have been narrowed."

"Time is of the essence," Donohue added. "American jobs are on the line. Since South Korea will soon implement a similar arrangement with the EU, American workers stand to lose 340,000 jobs without this agreement."

U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk told reporters in Seoul that any government has the right to see the best deal for its citizens. "But at the same time," Kirk added, "President Obama has been clear that we want the same access to their free markets as they have to ours."

This is not a setback for the president, Kirk added.

"We've made good progress," he said. "These are very tough agreements to get done."