Accessibility links

Breaking News

U.S. Congressman Urges Repeal Of Jackson-Vanik Amendment


(RFE/RL) February 21, 2007 -- U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos (Democrat, California) has called for an end to a decades-old U.S. restriction on trade with Russia.


Speaking in Moscow, Lantos called the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment a "relic of the Cold War" and vowed to "spare no effort" in seeking its removal.


Lantos is the chairman of the U.S. House Committee on Foreign Affairs.


The amendment links bilateral trade to emigration rights.


Russia has long urged the United States to cancel the amendment. Moscow regards the amendment as a major barrier to its effort to join the World Trade Organization (WTO).


WTO rules prevent members from imposing such trade restrictions on other members.


Lantos, a Holocaust survivor who was born in Hungary, has often been a harsh critic of Russia.


He is in Moscow for talks with Russian officials.


(AFP, AP)

RFE/RL Russia Report

RFE/RL Russia Report


SUBSCRIBE For news and analysis on Russia by e-mail, subscribe to "RFE/RL Russia Report."

RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.

If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.

To find out more, click here.

XS
SM
MD
LG