November

13, 2012

Former U.S. Policymakers on Both Sides of the Aisle Agree: Congress Must Approve Russia PNTR
Action Needed to Ensure America Fully Benefits from Russias WTO Membership and Market-Opening Commitments

Until Congress approves PNTR, however, and graduates Russia from Jackson-Vanik, the U.S. cannot claim all the benefits of having Russia take on the obligations that come with WTO membership. Meanwhile, the other 150-plus WTO countries, including our biggest competitors, will most likely press their advantage in the Russian market to land contracts and win new opportunities for their exporters at the expense of U.S. workers, farmers, service providers and manufacturers.
-

Former U.S. Trade Representatives Charlene Barshefsky and Susan C. Schwab, POLITICO Op-ed, September 11, 2012 [W]e believe the United States must extend PNTR status to take full advantage of Russias WTO membership. This will encourage economic recovery by significantly expanding U.S. exports to Russia, creating more U.S. jobs across a range of important economic sectors, and ensuring favorable market access for U.S. companies.

- Former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans and Former U.S. Senator and Governor Charles Robb, Letter to House Ways and Means Committee Leadership, June 20, 2012

Russias accession to the WTO will give American workers, farmers, and businesses a significant new opportunity to expand their exports to Russia and help strengthen U.S.-Russia commercial relations. It is estimated that U.S. exports of goods and services to Russia could doublefrom $11 billion in 2011 to $22 billion in 2017. Unfortunately, the United States will not be able to fully realize these benefits until Congress passes legislation graduating Russia from the Jackson-Vanik amendment and permanently granting Russia PNTR.

- Former U.S. Trade Representatives Susan C. Schwab, Charlene Barshefsky, Michael Kantor, Carla A. Hills, Clayton K. Yeutter and William E. Brock III, Letter to Congressional Leadership, June 19, 2012

Its Time for Congress to Approve Russia PNTR and Help U.S. Companies and Workers Compete!
Learn more about Russia PNTR and the importance of trade with Russia for each state at www.brt.org/russia.

Business Roundtable (BRT) is an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies with more than $7.3 trillion in annual revenues and nearly 16 million employees. BRT member companies comprise nearly a third of the total value of the U.S. stock market and invest more than $150 billion annually in research and development equal to 61 percent of U.S. private R&D spending. Our companies pay $182 billion in dividends to shareholders and generate nearly $500 billion in sales for small and medium-sized businesses annually. BRT companies give more than $9 billion a year in combined charitable contributions. Please visit us at www.brt.org, check us out on Facebook and LinkedIn, and follow us on Twitter.

300 NEW JERSEY AVENUE, NW SUITE 800

WASHINGTON, DC 20001

202-872-1260

WWW.BRT.ORG