U.S. OKs Russia's entrance to WTO

[steve2470]

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-061110russia,0,5271498.story?coll=chi-business-hed

MOSCOW -- Moscow and Washington reached a bilateral accord Friday on Russia's entry into the World Trade Organization, a major step in Russia's 12-year bid to join the powerful 149-nation body that sets the world's international trade rules.

"We have an agreement in principle and are finalizing the details," said U.S. Trade Representative Susan Schwab, the chief U.S. negotiator in WTO talks with Russia. "This agreement will mark an important step in Russia attaining membership in the WTO."

Schwab said the agreement is slated to be signed next week at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum in Hanoi, a summit that both President Bush and Russian President Vladimir Putin are scheduled to attend.

Russia is the world's only major economy that does not belong to the WTO. Membership would shield its exports from arbitrary penalties imposed by other nations and ease the flow of American capital and expertise into its economy. American and European firms would enjoy greater access to Russian markets ranging from aircraft and agriculture to financial services

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[Deja Q]

1. Splendid! America can buy Russian planes!

That'll make for a solid air force... (NOT)

[Vidar]

2. The WTO is a monstrous oppressor of third world nations.

Russia under Putin will fit in nicely.

[AlamoDemoc]

6. WTO = World Totally Oppressed

[Selatius]

3. Putin is an idiot for trading away sovereignty to the WTO

It is the instrument of destruction of working people everywhere.

[mom cat]

9. Unless they use their power to change it. They would have been better off

making stronger alliances with the non-aligned nations.

[lovuian]

4. A reversal of Bush policy means that keeping them out

was inaffect so bringing them in the fold will ??? Thats interesting

[goforit]

5. Does this have any connection to keeping North Korea off our backs.

[Strelnikov_]

7. One Wonders Why?

Oh, yea, any day now they will surpass Saudi Arabia as the worlds largest petroleum exporter.

Not to mention natural gas reserves out the ass.

Who won the cold war?

[MGD]

8. That would be a real bitch for them if we managed to become energy independent

and The Arabs too.