The following op-ed written by Secretary Clinton is appearing in print in the
Wall Street Journal and online at
Wall Street Journal:
Later
this summer, Russia will join the World Trade Organization (WTO) in the
culmination of a process that began nearly two decades ago. This is
good news for American companies and workers, because it will improve
our access to one of the world's fastest-growing markets and support new
jobs here at home.
U.S.-Russian bilateral trade isn't reaching
anything close to its full potential today. While that trade has
increased over the past few years, America's exports to Russia still
represent less than 1% of our global exports. Given the potential for
expanding these links, Russia's WTO membership will be a net benefit for
our economy.
But there is one obstacle standing in the way.
American businesses won't be able to take advantage of this new market
opening unless Congress terminates the application of the Jackson-Vanik
Amendment and extends "permanent normal trading relations" (PNTR) to
Russia.
Jackson-Vanik, which restricts U.S. trade with countries
that limit their people's emigration rights, was adopted by Congress in
the early 1970s to help thousands of Jews leave the Soviet Union. It
long ago achieved this historic purpose.
Now it's time to set it
aside. Four decades after the adoption of this amendment, a vote to
extend permanent normal trading relations to Russia will be a vote to
create jobs in America. Until then, Russia's markets will open and our
competitors will benefit, but U.S. companies will be disadvantaged.
Extending
permanent normal trading relations isn't a gift to Russia. It is a
smart, strategic investment in one of the fastest growing markets for
U.S. goods and services. It's also an investment in the more open and
prosperous Russia that we want to see develop.
As the
demonstrations across Russia over the past six months make clear, the
country's middle class is demanding a more transparent and accountable
government, a more modern political system, and a diversified economy.
We should support these Russian efforts.
When Russia joins the
WTO, it will be required—for the first time ever—to establish
predictable tariff rates, ensure transparency in the publication and
enactment of laws, and adhere to an enforceable mechanism for resolving
disputes. If we extend permanent normal trading relations to Russia,
we'll be able to use the WTO's tools to hold it accountable for meeting
these obligations.
The Obama administration is under no illusions
about the challenges that lie ahead. WTO membership alone will not
suddenly create the kind of change being sought by the Russian people.
But it is in our long-term strategic interest to collaborate with Russia
in areas where our interests overlap.
Already our work together
over the past three years has produced real results, including the New
Start Treaty to reduce strategic nuclear weapons, an agreement on
civilian nuclear cooperation, military transit arrangements to support
our efforts in Afghanistan, and cooperation on Iran sanctions. With
permanent normal trading relations, we would add expanded trade to the
list.
To be sure, we have real differences with Russia. We
disagree fundamentally about the situation in Georgia. On Syria, we are
urging Russia to push Bashar al-Assad to implement former U.N.
Secretary-General Kofi Annan's six-point plan, end the violence, and
work with the international community in promoting a transition.
In
addition, President Obama and I have clearly expressed our serious
concerns about human rights in Russia. And we have taken steps to
address these challenges, including support for programs that promote
human rights, rule of law, and civil society there. We have strengthened
ties between nongovernmental organizations in both countries, from
political activists to groups working for women's rights. Following the
tragic death of Sergei Magnitsky, a lawyer who blew the whistle on
official corruption, we imposed restrictions to ensure that no one
implicated in this crime can travel to the United States. We are
continuing to work with Congress on addressing these issues.
Some
argue that continuing to apply Jackson-Vanik to Russia would give us
some leverage in these areas of disagreement. We disagree—and so do
leaders of Russia's political opposition. They have called on the U.S.
to terminate Jackson-Vanik, despite their concerns about human rights
and the Magnitsky case. In fact, retaining Jackson-Vanik only fuels more
anti-American sentiment in Russia.
Russia's membership in the WTO
will soon be a fact of life.
Failing to extend permanent normal trading
relations will not penalize Russia, nor will it provide a lever with
which to change Moscow's behavior. It will only hurt American workers
and American companies. By extending those trading relations, we can
create new markets for our people and support the political and economic
changes that Russia's people are demanding. These reforms will
ultimately make Russia a more just and open society as well as a better
partner over the long term for the U.S.
Ms. Clinton is U.S. secretary of state.
