The U.S. Senators Chris Murphy and Todd Young, Chairman and Ranking Member of the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism, have introduced legislation to put an end to Cold War-era trade restrictions applied to Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. The proposed legislation seeks to grant these countries permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status.
The backdrop to this initiative dates back to 1974 when, in a bid to pressure the Soviet Union into improving its treatment of persecuted groups, Congress passed the Jackson-Vanik amendment. This amendment aimed to withhold full U.S. trade relations from nations that restricted emigration rights for Soviet Jews and other minority groups.
Despite the Soviet Union's dissolution, and Congress's subsequent graduation of many former Soviet states, such as Ukraine and Russia, to PNTR status, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan still grapple with the constraints imposed by this outdated law, despite their compliance with the emigration provisions outlined in Jackson-Vanik.
Senator Murphy highlighted the urgency of modernizing these trade policies. He noted that as Russia and China's influence in Central Asia wanes, clinging to this Cold War relic could jeopardize a valuable opportunity to redefine the United States' relationship with the region. The Jackson-Vanik amendment, once a tool to pressure the Soviet Union, is now seen as an archaic trade policy that hinders partnerships with these Central Asian nations.
"It's time to fix these outdated and restrictive policies that are hindering our nation's ability to build trade and commercial relations in a critical region," said Senator Young.
He stated that their bipartisan bill would deepen bilateral and regional relations with these Central Asian countries, particularly as the U.S. seeks access to vital resources and aims to promote regional development and prosperity. The legislation is anticipated to enhance trade ties, broaden international market access, and bolster the U.S.'s ability to counter the influence of China and Russia.
Mark B. Levin, CEO of the National Coalition Supporting Eurasian Jewry (NCSEJ), expressed strong support for this bipartisan legislation. He emphasized that all three countries, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan, have fulfilled the conditions set forth by the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which demand that their citizens emigrate without restrictions.
Levin highlighted that: "Moving this legislation forward will further strengthen ties between the United States and these countries in an increasingly important part of the world."
Previously, Senator Murphy made a compelling case in an op-ed for The Diplomat, urging Congress to repeal Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan while securing them PNTR status. Earlier this year, Senators Murphy and Young held a subcommittee hearing that examined shifting geopolitical and energy dynamics in Central Asia.
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