Presidential Determination Under Section 402 (c)(2)(A) of the Trade Act of 1974Republic of Belarus

President Obama determined that waiving Jackson-Vanik human rights trade restrictions on Belarus would promote the Act's objectives. The Secretary of State is directed to transmit this determination to Congress and publish it in the Federal Register.

Federal Register Open PDF 74 FR 32785

Impact dates

Jul 1, 2009
Transmission to Congress and Federal Register publication

Key directives

Transmit determination to Congress
Publish determination in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of State · State Department

Timeline

Immediate

Waiver of subsections (a) and (b) of section 402 of Trade Act of 1974 takes effect for Belarus
Determination transmitted to Congress and published in Federal Register

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

Potential normalization of permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status for Belarus if conditions continue to be met

Risks & tensions

Belarus human rights record remained poor; waiver may be criticized as premature
Congressional notification required but no explicit consultation mechanism stated
Jackson-Vanik waivers are typically annual, requiring continued presidential determination