Uzbekistan urges US to remove Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions

Uzbekistan discussed with the United States the withdrawal of the country from the Jackson-Vanik amendment, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic said.

The Jackson–Vanik amendment to the Trade Act of 1974 is a 1974 provision in United States federal law intended to affect U.S. trade relations with countries with non-market economies (originally, countries of the Communist bloc) that restrict freedom of emigration and other human rights. Formally, this rule was introduced due to restrictions on emigration of Soviet citizens, and it also applied to other countries-China, Vietnam, and Albania. Currently, the amendment still has an effect in a number of countries, including Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan.

At a videoconference held in March with representatives of official circles and business communities of the United States, the parties discussed Uzbek government`s measures to mitigate the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic and global crisis phenomena on the economy, as well as the accession to the WTO.

The Uzbek side had underlined government`s measures aimed at reducing tariffs on imports of essential goods in the fight against the spread of coronavirus.

The Chairperson of the American-Uzbek Chamber of Commerce (AUCC), Caroline Lamm noted the commitment of AUCC members, represented by leading US companies, to further implement current investment projects to support the Republic's industry, as well as to fully assist the government of Uzbekistan and its people in the fight against coronavirus by providing advanced medical equipment, products and drugs.