US Congress Backs Granting PNTR Status to Uzbekistan

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — Congresswoman Carol Miller, a Republican representing West Virginia, has expressed support for granting Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status following their accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO). She made the statement during a hearing of the Trade Subcommittee of the US House Committee on Ways and Means.

Miller подчеркнула стратегическое значение расширения торговых отношений с Узбекистаном для реализации целей администрации Трампа по переносу производственных цепочек из Китая в ключевых секторах. “Granting PNTR status to Uzbekistan and other Central Asian countries will give US companies the confidence to invest in the region and relocate supply chains from China in strategically important sectors such as rare earth elements,” she said.

The congresswoman noted that the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment for countries in the region is only possible after their accession to the WTO. Kazakhstan joined the organization in 2015, while Uzbekistan has made significant progress by completing 30 bilateral market access negotiations and holding a number of working group meetings. According to Miller, this demonstrates the country’s readiness to comply with WTO principles and become an active participant in the global economy.

The hearing also addressed growing economic ties between the United States and Uzbekistan. Miller highlighted contracts signed during the Trump administration, including the sale of 22 Boeing aircraft to Uzbek airlines.

Kelly Ann Shaw, a partner at law firm Akin, echoed this view, emphasizing that Uzbekistan’s WTO membership paves the way for PNTR status.

“I welcome Uzbekistan’s accession to the World Trade Organization. PNTR is tied to meeting WTO membership standards, and once those standards are fulfilled, I believe the United States should move forward with granting PNTR,” Shaw said.

The hearing took place ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, scheduled for March 26–29 in Yaoundé, Cameroon. President Donald Trump has expressed support for a limited set of concrete outcomes, including a moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions and agreement on the Investment Facilitation Agreement.

Miller stressed that granting PNTR status to Central Asian countries is an important step toward diversifying US global supply chains and reducing economic dependence on China. Uzbekistan’s accession to the WTO is expected later this year following the completion of accession procedures and negotiations on membership terms.