Trade Leaders Urge USTR to IPR, Market Access, Etc. Concerns with Russia
On October 29, 2011, Congressional trade leaders1 sent a letter to the U.S. Trade Representative calling on him to insist that Russia meet a high standard in the ongoing negotiations regarding Russia's accession to the World Trade Organization. The leaders note that there are many challenges to be negotiated with Russia, the totality of which will determine Congressional support for Russia’s WTO accession. Russia’s protection of intellectual property, commitment to join the Information Technology Agreement, satisfactory commitments on agriculture and sanitary and phytosanitary issues, and commitment to address problematic investment policies, will be significant considerations.
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(The Washington Post recently reported that Georgia has been the "last significant stumbling block" in Russia's WTO accession negotiations, but "has accepted a Swiss proposal that could open the way for Russia to join the WTO.")
U.S. Must Grant Russia PNTR to Enjoy Full Benefits of Russian Membership in the WTO
The letter notes that Congress must vote to grant Russia permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status before the U.S. can expect to enjoy the full benefits of Russian membership in the WTO and states that a high standard accession package will be essential to ensuring support for granting Russia permanent NTR.
Concerns Include IPR Protection, Ag Market Access, Russia’s Auto Regime, Etc.
In their letter, the trade leaders expressed concern regarding:
- Russia’s protection of intellectual property rights, which are critical to U.S. industry and jobs;
- Recent reports questioning Russia’s commitment to join the Information Technology Agreement (ITA), one of the most successful WTO agreements, providing duty free treatment to a vast array of information and communications technology (ICT) products, with tremendous benefits to the innovative U.S. high tech sector as well as the many U.S. industries that use ICT to enhance their productivity and competitiveness at home and abroad;
- Russia’s actions blocking market access for U.S. agricultural products through unscientific health and safety requirements; and
- Russia’s auto investment regime’s impact on U.S. autos and auto parts companies, and their workers.
1Senate Finance Committee Chairman Baucus (D-MT) and Ranking Member Hatch (R-UT), with House Ways and Means Chairman Camp (R-MI) and Ranking Member Sander Levin (D-MI).
(See ITT's Online Archives 11032502 for summary of President's affirmation of support for Russia's WTO accession, establishment of PNTR. See ITT's Online Archives 11030234 for summary of President's 2011 trade agenda, which includes WTO membership and PNTR for Russia.)
Letter available by emailing documents@brokerpower.com.