[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 54 (Wednesday, April 24, 1996)]
[Senate]
[Pages S4003-S4004]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   RUSSIAN AGRICULTURAL IMPORT QUOTAS

  Mr. ROTH. Mr. President, there are few things more disappointing and 
disturbing than broken promises. Despite repeated assurances from 
Russian officials that they sincerely desire to fully abide by the 
principals of free and fair trade, they are once again considering 
barriers against the import of agricultural products.
  I have to add that there are few things more worrisome than to have 
our President visit Russia and tell us everything is OK when it is not. 
And this appears to be the case when it comes to United States-Russian 
trade relations.
  Yesterday, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Zaveryukha 
announced his Government's plans to introduce food import quotas that 
will focus primarily on poultry purchases, the vast majority of which 
come from the United States. The Deputy Prime Minister himself even 
emphasized that it is American poultry products against which these 
import quotas are directed.
  This is particularly outrageous in light of Russian Prime Minister's 
Chernomyrdin's assurances to Vice President Gore that Moscow was going 
to back away from unfair trade practices that the Prime Minister 
announced last February against agricultural imports into Russia.
  Russia's new effort to restrict the import of American poultry 
products should not surprise us. For the last 6 months Moscow has 
persistently been trying to ban the import of American poultry 
products. First, they tried to impose a bogus health ban. When it 
became clear that could not fly, they have been trying to increase 
tariffs against our poultry products. Now, they are talking about 
import quotas.
  A decision by Moscow to impose import quotas, higher tariffs, or any 
other sanctions against American agricultural products would be most 
unfortunate. This is particularly true in the case of poultry. The 
amazing growth of in our chicken sales in Russia over the past 5 years 
demonstrates that Russian consumers recognize the quality and 
reasonable price of United States poultry. Needless to say, import 
quotas will only end up hurting United States poultry producers, 
Russian consumers, and the United States-Russian trade relationship.

[[Page S4004]]

  I want to emphasize that this issue has repercussions that go well 
beyond poultry. Indeed, agricultural import quotas are very much part 
of a broad turn toward protectionism in Russian economy policy.
  This trend toward protectionism is particularly disturbing when seen 
in the light of overall United States-Russian Trade and United States 
foreign assistance programs to Russia. Today, the United States is 
running a trade deficit with Russia that amounts to over $2 billion 
annually. Import quotas against poultry and other agricultural imports 
will only further restrict access to the Russian market by our most 
competitive exports and will further widen our trade deficit with 
Russia.
  This is particularly outrageous when one considers that since 1992 
the United States has provided some $2.44 billion in foreign assistance 
to Russia. Much of this assistance is designed to help Russia develop a 
fully functioning free market economy. The American people would be 
well justified in questioning such assistance to countries that close 
their markets to U.S. exports.
  Should Russia actually decide to impose trade quotas against American 
exports, it is essential that United States Government respond with 
forceful and immediate measures.
  How we respond to protectionist policies by Moscow will be closely 
watched by other beneficiaries of American foreign assistance, 
particularly those among the former Republics of the Soviet Union. 
Thus, Russia's increasing protectionism and our response to it must be 
viewed through the lens not only of trade, but also the broader 
dimensions of United States relations with Russia, Central and Eastern 
Europe, and the world.
  Mr. President, I am convinced that we must send a strong message to 
Russia that we will not tolerate such blatant protectionism. Any less 
of a response will only send the wrong signal to Moscow and other 
nations that protectionism is a legitimate policy tool that they can 
use with impunity.
  The Russian Government must understand that free trade is a two-way 
street. If they want to benefit from our foreign assistance, sell their 
products and services to us, expand their economy, and become a full 
participant in the global market place, then they are going to have to 
let us sell our products and services to them. If they insist on 
erecting protectionist trade barriers, such as the import quotas, then 
they must fully understand that there will be a heavy price to pay.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  I make a point of order that a quorum is not present.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The clerk will call the roll.
  The assistant legislative clerk proceeded to call the roll.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order 
for the quorum call be rescinded.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that I be 
permitted to speak for up to 10 minutes as if in morning business.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. Without objection, it is so ordered.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from New Mexico is recognized.
  Mr. BINGAMAN. I thank the Chair.
  (The remarks of Mr. Bingaman pertaining to the introduction of S. 
1697 are located in today's Record under ``Statements on Introduced 
Bills and Joint Resolutions.'')

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