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

the President set a goal for us to double America's exports over the next five years with the inherent understanding that it could create up to two million additional jobs in the United States.

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.

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.

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.