Ambassador Kirk meets with First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Igor Shuvalov
Washington, D.C. - United States Trade Representative Ron Kirk met today with the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Igor Shuvalov. Ambassador Kirk reported on the advancement of legislation in the U.S. Congress to repeal Russia’s Jackson-Vanik status and allow the granting of Permanent Normal Trade Relations between our countries, and expressed hope that the United States and Russia would soon be able to apply the World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement between them. Ambassador Kirk highlighted the importance of Russia abiding by all of its WTO obligations, including with regard to the possibility of unjustified, non-science based restrictions on imports of U.S. meat. They also discussed specific measures to enhance the bilateral economic relationship, such as the establishment of a regular trade policy dialogue, an IPR Action Plan, and a bilateral investment treaty.