Statement by Ambassador Katherine Tai Following Congressional Vote on Russia and Belarus’ Permanent Normal Trade Relations Status

On April 8, 2022, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai issued the following statement.

"Over the last several weeks, President Biden has united our allies and partners to impose severe economic costs on Russia for its premeditated and unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The Biden Administration has initiated crippling sanctions on Russia’s financial, energy and military sectors and curtailed its access to certain technologies. As a result, the Russian economy has cratered and hundreds of companies have announced plans to leave the country.

'Yesterday, the U.S. Senate voted unanimously to cut off permanent normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus. Combined with a similar, overwhelming vote in the House of Representatives, this swift action shows our determination to isolate Russia from the global economy and multilateral institutions. Additionally, Congress voted overwhelmingly to ban energy imports from Russia, which will complement the Executive Order President Biden signed last month and further restrict Russia’s economy.

"I want to thank Senate Finance Committee Chairman Wyden and Ranking Member Crapo – as well as Ways & Means Chairman Richard Neal and Ranking Member Kevin Brady in the House of Representatives – for coming together to reach this agreement.

"USTR will continue work with Congress and our trading partners as we build a broad coalition in opposition to Russia’s unjust actions."

This action will move merchandise from Belarus and Russia from relatively low "Column 1" tariffs to much higher "Column 2" tariffs.

See also this Agathon Associates report of the significance of this action as regards Russia.

Promoting Accountability for Human Rights Abuses Perpetrated by the Governments of Russia and Belarus

On March 15, 2022, U.S. Secretary of State Anthony Blinken announced that the United States, with support from Allies and partners, is taking action to promote accountability for the Russian and Belarusian governments’ human rights abuses and violations within and outside their borders.

Read more HERE.

Imposition of Sanctions on ‘Luxury Goods’ Destined for Russia and Belarus and for Russian and Belarusian Oligarchs and Malign Actors Under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR)

On March 11, 2022, In response to the Russian Federation’s (Russia’s) further invasion of Ukraine, and Belarus’s substantial enabling of Russia’s invasion, the Department of Commerce Belarus of ‘luxury goods’ under the Export Administration Regulations (EAR) and for exports, reexports and transfers (in-country) worldwide to certain Russian or Belarusian oligarchs and other malign actors supporting the Russian or Belarusian governments. Taken together, these new export controls will significantly limit financially elite individuals’ and organizations’ access to luxury goods and thereby accentuate the consequences of providing such support.

The Rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2022. A pre-publication version is available HERE.

Joint statement on December 2 sanctions in response to situation in Belarus

On December 2, 2021, the following statement was released by Canada, the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States of America:

Today, in response to the continuing attacks on human rights and fundamental freedoms in Belarus, the disregard for international norms and the repeated acts of repression, we have again taken coordinated sanctions action against certain individuals and entities.

We remain committed to supporting the democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus and stand together to impose costs on the regime—and those who support it—for its efforts to silence the voices of independent civil society, media and all Belarusians seeking to speak the truth about what is happening in their country.

We again demand that the Lukashenko regime immediately and completely halt its orchestrating of irregular migration across its borders with the EU. Those—in Belarus or in third countries—who facilitate illegal crossing of the EU’s external borders should know this comes at a substantial cost.

We call for the regime to unconditionally and without delay release its almost 900 political prisoners, end its campaign of repression and implement the recommendations of the independent expert mission under the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe’s (OSCE’s) Moscow Mechanism and take meaningful action to address the concerns raised under the OSCE’s Vienna Mechanism. The regime should promptly enter into comprehensive and genuine political dialogue with representatives of the democratic opposition and civil society, facilitated by the OSCE, leading to new, free and fair presidential elections under international observation.

G7 Foreign Ministers’ statement on Belarus

On November 1, 2021, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America, and the High Representative of the European Union, condemn the Belarusian regime’s orchestration of irregular migration across its borders issuing the following statement:

"These callous acts are putting peoples’ lives at risk. We are united in our solidarity with Poland, as well as with Lithuania and Latvia, which have been targeted by this provocative use of irregular migration as a hybrid tactic.

"We call on the regime to cease immediately its aggressive and exploitative campaign in order to prevent further deaths and suffering. International organizations need to be provided with immediate and unhindered access to deliver humanitarian assistance. The actions of the Belarusian regime are an attempt to deflect attention from its ongoing disregard for international law, fundamental freedoms and human rights, including those of its own people.

"We commend the actions of the European Union, which is working closely with countries of origin and transit to put an end to the actions of the Lukashenko regime. We will continue to work together to hold those responsible to account and to support civil society and human rights in Belarus."

Joint Statement by Canada, the European Union, United Kingdom, and United States on the announcement of new sanctions against Belarus

On June 21, 2021, Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US released the following statement:

"We are united in our deep concern regarding the Lukashenko regime’s continuing attacks on human rights, fundamental freedoms, and international law.

"Today, we have taken coordinated sanctions action in response to the May 23rd forced landing of a commercial Ryanair flight between two EU member states and the politically motivated arrest of journalist Raman Pratasevich and his companion Sofia Sapega, as well as to the continuing attack on human rights and fundamental freedoms. We are committed to support the long-suppressed democratic aspirations of the people of Belarus and we stand together to impose costs on the regime for its blatant disregard of international commitments.

"We are united in calling for the regime to end its repressive practices against its own people. We are disappointed the regime has opted to walk away from its human rights obligations, adherence to democratic principles, and engagement with the international community. We are further united in our call for the Lukashenko regime to: cooperate fully with international investigations into the events of May 23rd; immediately release all political prisoners; implement all recommendations of the independent expert mission under the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe’s (OSCE) Moscow Mechanism; and enter into a comprehensive and genuine political dialogue between the authorities and representatives of the democratic opposition and civil society, facilitated by the OSCE."

G7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Belarus

The text of the following statement was released by the G7 foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union.

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union condemn in the strongest terms the unprecedented action by the Belarusian authorities in arresting independent journalist Raman Pratasevich and his companion, Sofia Sopega, after forcing flight FR4978 on which they were travelling to land in Minsk on 23 May.

This action jeopardised the safety of the passengers and crew of the flight. It was also a serious attack on the rules governing civil aviation. All our countries, and our citizens, depend on every state acting responsibly in fulfilling their duties under the Chicago Convention so that civil aircraft can operate safely and securely. We call on the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) to urgently address this challenge to its rules and standards.

This action also represents a serious attack on media freedom. We demand the immediate and unconditional release of Raman Pratasevich, as well as all other journalists and political prisoners held in Belarus.

We will enhance our efforts, including through further sanctions as appropriate, to promote accountability for the actions of the Belarusian authorities.