One of the results of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to the United States was a promise to repeal, with respect to Russia, the Jackson- Vanik Amendment which stands in the way of normal bilateral trade between the US and Russia. Undoubtedly, the Russian media will present this as Russia’s diplomatic victory. At the same time, Ukraine also seems to be able to hope for a similar treatment in the near future. “Ukraine can count on assistance of the American Jewish Committee to repeal this amendment which is not only obsolete but also an objective obstacle to the development of our relations and cooperation,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine press service quotes David Harris, American Jewish Committee executive director, as telling Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Anatoly Zlenko. In general, judging by various reports from the United States, the State Department, House of Representatives and Senate committees, and other governmental agencies now continue to work for revising or even repealing this amendment with respect to the post-Soviet states still subject to it. Thus, should this indeed happen quite soon, we will be able to say this is the victory of not so much diplomacy as common sense.
Maybe, many have heard of but know very little about the notorious Jackson-Vanik amendment which even the Gorbachev-time Soviet diplomacy tried hard to have repealed.
In 1974, practically a generation ago, the US Congress passed the Trade Act. Chapter IV of this law, put forward by Senators Jackson and Vanik, set out a trade treatment for the countries that cannot be recognized as not practicing discrimination. Naturally, practically all Soviet-bloc countries fell under this definition. The law denied the most-favored-nation status to these countries (in fact, this status was neither unique nor preferential). The reason why the Jackson- Vanik amendment was applicable to the Soviet Union was that the latter denied its citizens the right to free emigration. This meant, first of all, the right of Jews to freely emigrate to Israel.
The amendment was somewhat revised three years ago. President Bill Clinton signed a law that replaced most favored nation status with “normal trade relations.” Also providing no preferences or concessions, this treatment is just not discriminatory at the United States market. 160 countries are now making use of this treatment. Discriminatory restrictions cannot now be imposed on Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, and Moldova as members of the World Trade Organization.
Jews, like all other citizens of Ukraine, have long been granted the right to freely choose the country of residence. Nonetheless, Ukraine, as well as Russia and other CIS states, still hope every year that the US president will put them on the list he forwards to Congress as part of his message. American experts are sure that in fact all CIS countries, except for perhaps Belarus, meet the Jackson-Vanik amendment requirements.
And, as the amendment was passed, first of all, because of the infringement of Jewish rights, the opinion of the American Jewish Committee can be of importance. This may also reduce antidumping suit losses. However, strategic partnership is always a two-way street. Up to now, the Jackson-Vanik amendment has been a fine barrier to “the world’s most open market,” and perhaps far from all would like to see it really open.
