P. Scott Shearer, Vice President

July 20, 2012

1 Min Read
Russia PNTR Passes Committee

The Senate Finance Committee approved legislation to grant Russia Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status.  Senator Max Baucus (D-MT), chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, said, “We took a major step forward today to seize this opportunity to boost U.S. exports to Russia and create the jobs we need here at home.  All this boils down to one thing – jobs. Russia will formally be a member of the World Trade Organization (WTO) next month, which is Congress’ deadline for passing PNTR.  There is no time to waste – America risks being left behind.  If Congress misses that deadline, American farmers, ranchers, workers and businesses will lose out to the other 154 members of the WTO that already have PNTR with Russia.”  During consideration of the bill, Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) raised concerns of Russia’s compliance with sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) issues.  Current exports to Russia are $9 billion and are expected to double in the next five years.

 

 

About the Author(s)

P. Scott Shearer

Vice President, Bockorny Group, Inc.

Scott Shearer is vice president of the Bockorny Group Inc., a leading bipartisan government affairs consulting firm in Washington, D.C. With more than 30 years experience in government and corporate relations in state and national arenas, he is recognized as a leader in agricultural trade issues, having served as co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for U.S.-China Trade and co-chairman of the Agricultural Coalition for Trade Promotion Authority. Scott was instrumental in the passage of China Permanent Normal Trade Relations and TPA. He is past chairman of the USDA-USTR Agricultural Technical Advisory Committee for Trade in Animals and Animal Products and was a member of the USAID Food Security Advisory Committee. Prior to joining the Bockorny Group, Scott served as director of national relations for Farmland Industries Inc., as well as USDA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for Congressional Affairs (1993-96), serving as liaison for the Secretary of Agriculture and the USDA to Congress.

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