President Obama signed today the Russia and Moldova Jackson-Vanik Repeal Act of 2012, H.R. 6156, establishing permanent normal trade relations with Russia (PNTR). Granting PNTR to Russia will assure that the United States has equal accession to general tariff reductions, marketing opening measures, and the ability of U.S. interest, such as poultry, to seek trade relief, if necessary, through the World Trade Organization (WTO).
Following the signing of the bill, it is necessary for the president to issue a proclamation extending PNTR to Russia, which is expected to occur next week. The United States will then notify the WTO of the withdrawal notice of non-application and request that the full rules of the WTO and the agreement on Russia’s accession be applied between the two countries. Russia filed a notice of non-application against the United States as well, so it is expected that the timing of the revocations of the notices of non-application will be simultaneous.
Meanwhile, the Coalition for U.S.-Russia Trade, of which National Chicken Council is a member, have been sending letters of appreciation to congressional leadership and all of the congressional offices that worked towards the passage of PNTR. The Senate passed H.R. 6156 in a bipartisan vote of 92 to 4 on December 6. The National Chicken Council, National Turkey Federation, and USA Poultry & Egg Export Council in a press release last week commended the Senate for passing the bill and urged the president to sign the bill. The House passed the bill by a vote of 365 to 43 on November 16.
