U.S. Congress to consider bill to repeal Jackson-Vanik amendment in relation to Kazakhstan

he H.R.1024 draft law was jointly introduced by House Congressman Jimmy Panetta (Democrat from California), as well as Robert Aderholt (Republican from Alabama), Dina Titus (Democrat from Nevada), Darin LaHood (Republican from Illinois), Ami Bera (Democrat from California), and Tom Suozzi (Democrat from New York).

A statement on Jimmy Panetta's official website notes that the Act is aimed at repealing the outdated Jackson-Vanik amendment, which was introduced into the 1974 U.S. Trade Law against the Soviet Union in order to allow Jewish emigration.

“By granting Kazakhstan PNTR status, the U.S.-Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act will promote greater economic cooperation, enhance investment opportunities, and support a stable and independent Kazakhstan at a time of increased global competition. It’s long past time we brought this critical trade partnership into the 21st century,” noted by Jimmy Panetta.

The Congressmen note that Kazakhstan has been in full compliance with the U.S. immigration freedom act for decades, but the amendment continued to prevent the country from conducting normal trade relations with the United States.

“The U.S. Kazakhstan Trade Modernization Act is an important piece of legislation that will end Cold War-era trade regulations and allow us to support greater regional development and prosperity,” Darin LaHood said.

The statement noted that Kazakhstan is the most important partner of the United States in Central Asia, acting as a leading regional center for trade, investment and energy, including the production of rare earths and uranium. The country has a trade turnover with the United States of $3.3 billion in 2024, and despite this, it still faces trade restrictions.

“Repealing the outdated Jackson-Vanik amendment for Kazakhstan opens doors to increased trade and investment opportunities between our two nations. This bipartisan legislation not only benefits American businesses and workers, but it also deepens our diplomatic engagement with a key partner and young democracy in the Central Asian region,” emphasized Ami Bera.

Western experts have commented on the bill to repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment.

Darren G. Spinck, a researcher at the Henry Jackson Society, noted that this is very encouraging news. According to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, this amendment is an "absurd relic of the past".

“Kazakhstan is a pluralistic society, and its citizens are not restricted in their ability to emigrate or practice their religion freely. Granting PNTR to Kazakhstan is in America's national interest and will strengthen commercial ties between the two countries. As the United States seeks to diversify supply chains and build partnerships in the natural resources sector, strengthening U.S.-Kazakhstan bilateral ties will encourage investment into the region and further develop the Middle Corridor,” said Darren G. Spinck.

Wesley Alexander Hill, Deputy Director of the Energy, Economic Growth and Security Program at the International Tax and Investment Center, emphasized the symbolism of introducing this bill as a very important, useful and timely decision.

“This can only indicate good prospects for the development of Kazakh-American relations. This will play a big role for American investors in the region, and experts see this as an opportunity to move forward. A logical consequence of this could also be the development of the Middle Corridor. I am more optimistic about the timing of this bill's passage than any of the previous ones,” Wesley Alexander Hill believes.

Earlier it was reported that in November last year, the US Congress discussed strengthening US-Kazakhstan ties and establishing "Permanent normal trade relations," and that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio agreed to cooperate with Congress during a Senate hearing on January 15, 2025, to repeal the outdated amendment regarding Kazakhstan, which complied with all requirements demands.