ExecutiveOrdersEO
EO 13220Executive OrderG.W. Bush · R

Executive Order 13220

Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to the Republic of Belarus

This executive order waives provisions of the Trade Act of 1974 that would otherwise restrict trade benefits for Belarus. Specifically, it waives subsections 402(a) and 402(b), which relate to freedom of emigration requirements (Jackson-Vanik amendment), allowing Belarus to maintain normal trade relations status. The President issued this waiver after making the required report to Congress.

Federal Register Open PDF 66 FR 35527

Key directives

  • Waive application of Trade Act subsections 402(a) and 402(b) with respect to Belarus
  • Report to Congress as required by subsection 402(c)(2) (already completed prior to signing)

Timeline

Immediate

  • Waiver takes effect upon signing, removing Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions on Belarus

Near term (90d)

—

Long term

  • Continued eligibility for Belarus to receive unconditional most-favored-nation tariff treatment subject to annual presidential review and congressional reporting requirements

Risks & tensions

  • Annual waiver requires renewal; failure to renew would reimpose trade restrictions
  • Belarus political conditions could make future waivers controversial or difficult
  • Minimal transparency in EO about specific conditions justifying waiver—report to Congress not published in Federal Register text
  • Jackson-Vanik waivers for non-market economies with poor human rights records historically draw scrutiny from human rights advocates
Executive Order 13220: Waiver Under the Trade Act of 1974 With Respect to the Republic of Belarus · Executive Orders