"The US presidential administration supports the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment" — Marco Rubio
The US presidential administration favors the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment, which continues to apply to four Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. The resolution of this issue depends on Congress, stated US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
"US Presidential Administration Advocates for Repeal of the Jackson-Vanik Amendment" — Marco Rubio
The US presidential administration supports the repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated this to journalists on October 19 during a visit to Registan Square. The day before, he arrived in Samarkand to participate in the C5+1 ministerial meeting and the second meeting of the US-Uzbekistan Business and Investment Council.
"We advocate for its repeal. There are quite a few influential supporters of such a decision in the US Congress. I was asked about this back during my Senate confirmation hearings, and I answered that I support the repeal. The administration [of US President Donald Trump] is also calling for this. Congress simply hasn't gotten to this issue yet, but we hope it will happen," Rubio stated.
The Jackson-Vanik amendment remains in effect regarding four out of the five Central Asian countries, including Uzbekistan. As Zhavlon Vakhabov, Director of the International Institute for Central Asia, previously told Gazeta, US administrations of both parties have supported its revision; however, a final decision requires the consent of both houses of Congress.
According to him, the amendment does not hinder trade: Uzbekistan already enjoys normal trade relations status with the US, but it remains conditional and is reviewed annually. Establishing this status on a permanent basis would reduce administrative procedures and increase the predictability of conditions for trade and long-term investments.
Zhavlon Vakhabov noted that lawmakers from both parties have introduced bills in the Senate and the House of Representatives to terminate the application of the amendment and establish permanent normal trade relations. He identified the gap between political support and the passage of the law as the main obstacle: this requires a broad coalition of lawmakers and priority consideration of the issue in Congress.