US Senator to Propose Repeal of Jackson–Vanik Amendment for Central Asia

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — James Risch, Chairman of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, announced that this week he will introduce a bill to Congress aimed at repealing the Jackson–Vanik Amendment with respect to Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan.

He made the announcement at a reception at the US State Department, attended by foreign policy officials from the region.

Earlier, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio described the amendment as an “archaic measure” that has lost its relevance in today’s context. He noted that using this provision to pressure Central Asian states is no longer justified. Rubio also highlighted the recognition of Kazakhstan as a market economy by the US Department of Commerce and the hosting of a WTO ministerial conference in the country as evidence of the republic’s significant progress.

The Jackson–Vanik Amendment is a supplement to the 1974 US Trade Act, imposing restrictions on trade with countries that impede emigration or violate human rights. It is named after Congressmen Henry Jackson and Charles Vanik.

Rubio emphasized that repealing the amendment requires legislative action in the US and expressed his readiness to work with colleagues to achieve its implementation.