Ron Kirk

I think if there is any area that the administration has distinguished ourselves in, it is at our very strong elevation of trade enforcement to the same level that we have for opening up new markets.

We will continue to push Russia to adhere to international norms.

the most important distinction between this and China, Senator, is that, in the case of Russia, we insisted that they put in place their laws to implement the WTO rules before we would allow them to accede to the WTO.

Terminating Jackson-Vanik and extending PNTR to Russia is in the absolute best interests of American businesses, workers, and innovators.

I respectfully ask this committee to move forward quickly with legislation to terminate Jackson-Vanik and empower the President to extend PNTR to Russia.

if we don't repeal Jackson-Vanik, we are going to be at that higher arbitrary rate against competitors from around the world.

I would remind the Committee, 97 percent of U.S. exporters are what we define as small businesses.

If there is any reason for us to repeal Jackson-Vanik and grant PNTR, it is that we no longer have to hope.

I do believe the most responsible action we can take now with Russia's certainty of becoming a WTO Member is to move forward and repeal Jackson-Vanik.

if we don't repeal Jackson-Vanik and extend PNTR, we have none of those protections.

By repealing Jackson-Vanik, we make sure--and you represent a part of the country in which innovation is just embedded in our lifeblood.