HOUSE PASSES BILL NORMALIZING RUSSIAN TRADE

[DonViejo]

Source: AP

HOUSE PASSES BILL NORMALIZING RUSSIAN TRADE
By JIM ABRAMS

— Nov. 16 12:39 PM EST

WASHINGTON (AP) — Flashing some postelection bipartisanship, House Democrats and Republicans joined forces Friday in voting overwhelmingly to end Soviet-era trade restrictions so that American manufacturers and farmers can take advantage of Russia's expanding and more open markets.

The vote to establish permanent normal trade relations with Russia has been a top priority of American businesses concerned that they are being left behind as Europe and China move into Russia's market of 140 million consumers.

Russia joined the World Trade Organization in August, a move that requires it to lower tariffs and take other market-opening measures. But unless Congress voted to eliminate a 1974 trade restriction and establish permanent trade relations. The United States would be alone among 156 WTO members, unable to benefit from those new trade rules.

The legislation stalled before the election as lawmakers shied away from voting for a measure that might appear to be aiding Russia at a time when President Vladimir Putin's government had become increasingly hostile. Many lawmakers have been mollified by the addition to the bill of a measure that punishes Russian officials involved in human rights violations. The bill passed on a 365-43 vote.

Read more: http://bigstory.ap.org/article/house-vote-bill-normalizing-russian-trade

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Mitt's cronies just said Russia isn't our "number one geo-political enemy." He's gonna be so pissed!

[bluedigger]

1. It only took them 21 years!

And they say the Senate is the conservative legislative body.

[slackmaster]

2. In Russia people like cookies and ice cream, just as we do

Well, almost.

[ffr]

3. ^^^ That the??? ^^^

I think it would be a great thing to normalize relations with our Cold War enemy. It seems we have more in common with them nowadays than not.

[HereSince1628]

4. Does this mean they can sell us Baikal cola? Oh, hell!

[Rhiannon12866]

6. When I was in Russia in the '80s, I drank Pepsi!

[HereSince1628]

7. They LOVE Fanta up in Karelia on the White Sea

In the summers I did research up there the only Cola was Baikal, which tastes a bit like caramelized iced tea with weak clove and cinnamon

It wasn't terrible but it definitely was an imitation cola

[jtuck004]

5. So I swear I've heard something like this before...

"... so that American manufacturers and farmers can take advantage of Russia's expanding and more open markets ..."

concerning China. Do we have jobs left to get rid of?

I think relations should be normalized, but when people start telling me about the pot of gold at the end I get anxious.

Anyway, we aren't the only one tapping those 140 million consumers - China is already there, as are many other countries, so there is lots of competition. And that won't help wages, or the environment, so I wonder who expects to end up with the money?

[amandabeech]

8. That giant sucking sound.

We heard it about Mexico, Central and South America and Korea.

Now, the Administration is negotiating another with Southeast Asian nations. I assume that's why he is going on that Southeast Asian trip. He wants to see the places where U.S. jobs will go.