Embracing Russia’s WTO Entry

In December 2011, after 18 long years of negotiations, Russia was finally formally asked to join the World Trade Organization (WTO). Russia now has until June 15, 2012 to ratify the Accession Agreement. While most commentators have focused on the length of Russia’s accession process or on whether Congress will finally grant Russia permanent normal trade relations (PNTR), few have commented on the broader and more positive implications of Russia’s accession. In this article, Laura M. Brank argues that in joining the WTO, Russia sends a positive and significant message that it is ready to fully engage with the international community, and argues that the U.S. should indeed grant Russian PNTR and graduate it from the Jackson-Vanik amendment.

Read the full article on CNBC.