Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Ukraine and U.S.-Ukrainian Economic Ties

RS22114 -- Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) Status for Ukraine and U.S.-Ukrainian Economic Ties

Updated March 30, 2006

Summary

The 109th Congress passed legislation to grant Ukraine permanent normal trade relations (PNTR), that is nondiscriminatory, trade status. The importance of the issue had been elevated since the "Orange Revolution" in Ukraine that led to the election of Viktor Yushchenko as President of Ukraine. The issue before Congress was whether to remove the requirements of Title IV of the Trade Act of 1974, including the so-called Jackson-Vanik amendment, and authorize the President to extend unconditional nondiscriminatory treatment to trade with Ukraine. On March 8, 2006, the House passed (417-2) H.R. 1053, and the Senate passed (unanimous consent) it on March 9, 2006. President Bush signed it (P.L. 109-205) on March 23, 2006. This report will be updated as events warrant.