国际英语新闻:Cold War Era Legislation Could Hinder US-Russia Trade

Thirdly, adds Aslund, if the Jackson-Vanik amendment is not repealed, tariffs on Russian goods to the United States could increase to 50 percent, severely curtailing, if not ending, all Russian exports to the United States. U.S. exports to Russia would also be greatly affected, he said.

U.S. business leaders are closely watching the issue. They say their business in Russia will suffer unless Moscow is granted “permanent normal trade relations,” or PNTR, with the United States. This trade status can be granted only after Jackson-Vanik is revoked.

“Russia has committed upon accession (to WTO) to significantly reduce its tariffs on imported agricultural equipment, from 15 percent to five percent,” Sam Allen, chairman of Deere and Company, told a recent congressional hearing. “However, it is likely that Russia would not extend the lower tariff rates to the U.S.-made products until it is granted PNTR.”

Caution suggested

But while American businesses are calling for the swift repeal of the amendment, others are urging caution.

One of those is Sen. Jon Kyl, who recently addressed his colleagues on the matter.

“While emigration may no longer be the issue, Russia’s blatant disregard for human rights and the rule of law is every bit as relevant today as it was decades ago,” Kyl said. “Human rights cannot be divorced from the discussion of our economic relationship with Russia, particularly since some of the most egregious cases of abuse involve citizens exercising their economic and commercial rights.”

Kyl also says Russia is moving away from international norms and values.

“In recent months, Moscow has not only blocked United Nations Security Council action on Syria, but has continued to sell arms to Assad’s regime, which is responsible for the slaughter of innocent citizens,” the Arizona Republican said. “This is not a government that can be trusted to uphold its international commitments or give a fair shake to American businesses.”

Kyl concluded that there was no need to consider repealing the Jackson-Vanik amendment anytime soon, adding that a thorough examination of U.S.-Russia relations was needed first.