WASHINGTON — The Coalition for a Prosperous America (CPA) applauded the U.S. Senate for unanimously passing amended legislation that would repeal permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status for Russia and Belarus. The Senate action follows a unanimous vote in the House last month to revoke Russia’s PNTR status. The House passed the amended Senate bill today by a vote of 420 –3, sending the bill to the President to be signed into law.
Last month, CPA and the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) urged Senate and House Leadership to immediately revoke Most Favored Nation status or Normal Trade Relations (NTR) treatment for Russia in light of Russia’s illegal invasion of the sovereign, democratic nation of Ukraine. Additionally, CPA released a petition signed by dozens of U.S. companies and business leaders in support of removing Russia from our “Permanent Normal Trade Relations” (PNTR) designation and raising tariffs on Putin. View the petition here.
“We applaud the Senate for following the House’s lead and taking action to end Russia’s ability to receive low-tariff access to the U.S. market,” said CPA Chairman Zach Mottl. “Putin’s despicable actions in Ukraine should shock the conscience of every lawmaker in Congress, and President Biden should waste no time in signing this bill into law. It is time for the globalists to recognize that propping up authoritarian regimes with open trade hasn’t brought peace. It is time for free traders to recognize the reality that globalization doesn’t confine aggressors—it enables them.”
Last month, CPA called for a “wartime footing” to rebuild domestic U.S. industry. Russia’s aggression—actively aided and abetted by a pact with China aligned against U.S. interests—makes clear that the United States must swiftly develop national self-sufficiency in manufacturing, critical minerals, and high-tech industries. Last month, CPA also urged House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) to prioritize the passage of additional legislation to impose capital markets sanctions and secondary sanctions on Russia and China. In addition, CPA supports the passage of bipartisan legislation in Congress to revoke China’s PNTR status that was introduced by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ), Tom Suozzi (D-NY), and Tom Tiffany (R-WI).
