Reps. Panetta, Aderholt, Titus, LaHood, Bera, and Suozzi Reintroduce U.S.-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act
Washington, DC – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), the co-chair of the House Kazakhstan Caucus, reintroduced the bipartisan U.S.-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act. This legislation seeks to repeal the outdated Soviet-era Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which continues to deny Kazakhstan Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status with the United States. The legislation was co-led by Reps. Robert Aderholt (AL-04), Dina Titus (NV-01), Darin LaHood (IL-16), Ami Bera, M.D. (CA-06), and Tom Suozzi (NY-03)
The Jackson-Vanik Amendment, part of the Trade Act of 1974, was originally enacted to pressure the Soviet Union to allow Jewish emigration. However, Kazakhstan, an independent nation since 1991, has long met the amendment’s requirements, ensuring its citizens have the right to emigrate freely. Kazakhstan has been in full compliance with U.S. freedom of emigration laws for decades.
Since Kazakhstan’s accession to the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2015, its economy has continued to grow, with U.S.-Kazakhstan trade reaching $3.3 billion in 2024, a record high. Kazakhstan is a critical partner for the U.S. in Central Asia, serving as a leading regional hub for trade, investment, and energy, including rare-earth minerals and uranium production. Despite this, it remains subject to trade restrictions that no longer serve their original purpose, while other former Soviet states have long since been granted PNTR status.
“Eliminating outdated Cold War-era policies like Jackson-Vanik is essential to strengthening America’s economic and strategic ties in Central Asia,” said Rep. Panetta. “By granting Kazakhstan PNTR status, the U.S.-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act will promote greater economic cooperation, enhance investment opportunities, and support a stable and independent Kazakhstan at a time of increased global competition. It’s long past time we brought this critical trade partnership into the 21st century.”
“Kazakhstan and the broader Central Asian region are important economic and strategic partners for the United States, particularly as China and Russia work to expand their influence,” said Rep. Aderholt. “The U.S.-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act will eliminate outdated trade barriers, strengthen our economic ties, and promote stability and growth in the region. This legislation will also create new opportunities for American businesses, support our agricultural industry, and benefit the economy in Alabama and across the country.”
“Kazakhstan's Soviet-era exclusion from Permanent Normal Trade Relations is outdated,” said Rep. Titus. “The country has been documenting its compliance with Jackson-Vanik since it achieved independence in 1991, and the United States has certified Kazakhstan’s compliance for more than 30 years. Establishing PNTR would help businesses in Nevada, create more jobs, and strengthen diplomatic ties at a time when Russia seeks to expand its influence in the region.”
“Kazakhstan and countries in Central Asia are critical trading partners for the United States as the Chinese Communist Party and Russia are actively working to dominate the region,” said Rep. LaHood. “The U.S. Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act is an important piece of legislation that will end Cold War-era trade regulations and allow us to support greater regional development and prosperity. This legislation will also benefit Illinois' economy and promote American agriculture.”
“Repealing the outdated Jackson-Vanik amendment for Kazakhstan opens doors to increased trade and investment opportunities between our two nations,” said Rep. Bera, M.D. “This bipartisan legislation not only benefits American businesses and workers, but it also deepens our diplomatic engagement with a key partner and young democracy in the Central Asian region. This bill is a crucial step to build on our shared efforts to foster economic growth and advance mutual prosperity.”
“I am fully committed to advancing U.S.-Kazakhstan relations and will do all I can to repeal the Jackson-Vanik Amendment and secure PNTR status for Kazakhstan,” said Rep Suozzi. “The U.S. Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act is a critical piece of legislation that will allow the U.S. to increase trade with Kazakhstan and push back against the Chinese Communist Party and Russia’s attempts to dominate the region.”
Kazakhstan is the largest economy in Central Asia, contributing two-thirds of the region’s GDP. The country plays a pivotal role in global energy markets, producing 43% of the world’s uranium and serving as a key supplier of critical minerals essential for the energy transition. Additionally, Kazakhstan’s strategic location between Russia, China, and Europe positions it as a vital link in global supply chains, particularly through the Middle Corridor trade route.
Bipartisan support for lifting Jackson-Vanik restrictions has continued to grow, with lawmakers and business leaders emphasizing the need to modernize U.S. trade relations with Kazakhstan. The U.S.-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act aligns with ongoing congressional efforts to expand American exports, strengthen supply chains, and counter growing geopolitical influence from China and Russia in the region.
The United States has previously granted PNTR status to Albania, Armenia, Bulgaria, China, Czechoslovakia, Estonia, Georgia, Hungary, Kyrgyzstan, Latvia, Lithuania, Mongolia, Romania, Ukraine, and Vietnam. It is time to bring Kazakhstan into that fold and ensure a modernized, mutually beneficial trade relationship.
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