[Congressional Record Volume 158, Number 94 (Wednesday, June 20, 2012)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1098-E1100]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              RUSSIA PNTR

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. PETE SESSIONS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 20, 2012

  Mr. SESSIONS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to discuss Russia's accession 
to the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the case for congressional 
approval of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) with Russia who is 
set to join the WTO later this summer. As a result of their accession 
into the WTO Russia will be required to open up its market and comply 
with the rules and regulations of the WTO. However, the U.S. will not 
receive any of these benefits until Congress grants Russia Permanent 
Normal Trade Relations (PNTR). Any delay in granting Russia PNTR will 
cause U.S employers, workers, farmers, and ranchers to lose ground to 
their competitors in other countries.
  Establishing PNTR will provide a much-needed boost to the U.S. 
economy, doubling exports to Russia in just five years and helping 
create jobs across every economic sector

[[Page E1099]]

especially in manufacturing, services, and agriculture. With the 
world's 9th largest economy, a population of 142 million, and a large 
and growing middle class, Russia holds outstanding potential for U.S. 
companies and workers to export more goods and services. My home state 
of Texas is the top exporter to Russia among U.S. states, with its 
exports to Russia growing faster than its exports to the rest of the 
world. Specifically, Texas exported $1.6 billion worth of goods to 
Russia in 2011, which directly supported an estimated 4,100 jobs.
  With those key stats in mind, I'd like to draw attention to some 
success stories of Texas companies active in the Russian market. First, 
Atlas Copco Drilling Solutions, based in Garland, exported more than $4 
million worth of heavy drilling equipment to customers in the Russia 
energy sector in 2010. Secondly, ExxonMobil Corporation has partnered 
with Rosneft, Russia's largest oil company, to develop oil resources in 
the Arctic, the Black Sea and Siberia. ExxonMobil also leads the 
development of the Sakhalin-1 oil and gas field project in Russia's Far 
East, where the company has employed its proprietary drilling 
technology to safely drill to record depths and optimize the project's 
output. Lastly, Irving based Fluor Corporation has provided 
engineering, procurement, and construction management for ExxonMobil's 
Sakhalin-1 operations.
  Until Congress passes PNTR with Russia, our foreign competitors--but 
not the United States--will be able to use WTO mechanisms to enforce 
Russia's commitments for their companies and workers. PNTR is the only 
way for Congress to ensure that U.S. companies and workers get equal 
protection and can lock-in the benefits of Russia's WTO accession 
agreement. The bottom line is simple: Russian PNTR will lead to more 
U.S. exports and more American jobs.
    

[[Page E1100]]



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