US senator calls for repeal of Jackson-Vanik amendment against Uzbekistan

Chris Murphy, a member of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, called on Congress to repeal Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions for Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan and grant those countries permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status. Murphy outlines why the United States must take advantage of shifting geopolitical dynamics to redefine and deepen relationships in Central Asia.

“For too long, the US has been on the sidelines while neighboring Russia and China exert enormous influence over countries like Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan. But we can see the limits of that influence as Central Asian governments become wary of their dependence on China, whose large economic investments in developing nations often come at huge cost to their sovereignty; and on Russia, whose international standing is in freefall. The US must take advantage of this window of opportunity and offer a strategic alternative based on partnership rather than exploitation,” Murphy wrote.

He explained how the Jackson-Vanik amendment hinders US relationships in Central Asia: “Unfortunately, an anachronistic law stands in our way. In 1974, the United States passed the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which denied full US trade relations to countries that restricted emigration rights for Soviet Jews and other minority groups. It was a useful tool to coerce the Soviet Union to improve its treatment of persecuted groups, including in Central Asia. Fifty years later, the Soviet Union is long gone, but this Cold War-era relic continues to limit our relationship with Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan…Over the last few decades, Congress passed laws to “graduate” many former Soviet states – including Russia – to normal trade status.”

He added that Central Asian states are stuck in the 1970s, not because they deserve pariah status, but largely due to inertia and a lack of focus on the region.

On the potential benefits of deepening US engagement in the region, Murphy wrote: “Beyond its strategic location, Central Asia is rich in critical resources like hydrocarbons and rare earth minerals. The United States was late to the race for critical minerals, but the Biden administration has made serious efforts to secure and expand supply chains. Granting PNTR to these countries – which have a combined annual GDP of $280 billion – will allow US businesses better access to their markets, promote trade and investment, and create opportunities for growth. Central Asian states can diversify their economies, create jobs, and raise living standards for their populations, all while reducing their economic dependence on Russia and China.”

According to him, as Russia’s influence wanes because of its invasion of Ukraine and countries grow wary of China, the United States has an opportunity (and an obligation) to redefine its relationship with Central Asia. 

“Congress should seize this moment to advance our strategic and economic interests in the region by passing legislation to grant Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Tajikistan PNTR status, relieving these countries from the outdated restrictions imposed by Jackson-Vanik,” he concluded.

In February 2023, it was reported that the US Congress may introduce a bill to end the application of the Jackson-Vanik amendments to Uzbekistan. It is not known what happened to the project.

Jackson-Vanik Amendment is an amendment to the US Trade Act introduced in 1974 at the suggestion of Congressmen Henry Jackson and Charles Vanik.

According to it, discriminatory tariffs and duties have been introduced against the countries of the communist bloc, which are grossly violating emigration and other human rights. Between 2000 and 2012, Kyrgyzstan, Georgia, Ukraine, Armenia, Moldova and Russia were excluded from this restriction.

This amendment has not been officially withdrawn and is currently applied to a number of countries, including Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan.