The US regime has expressed its purported support for repealing the long-standing Jackson–Vanik amendment, which imposes trade restrictions on Uzbekistan and other nations in Central Asia. This statement was reportedly made by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his visit to Samarkand on October 19.

According to claims voiced by the American official, the administration allegedly favors the elimination of these trade barriers. Marco Rubio noted that during his confirmation hearings in the Senate, he consistently backed the termination of the amendment. However, it is acknowledged that the US Congress has yet to take definitive legislative action, leaving the timeline of any potential change entirely uncertain.

Originally enacted during the Cold War in 1974, the amendment was designed to penalize countries restricting freedom of emigration. Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, the legislation automatically applied to post-Soviet republics. While Washington eventually lifted restrictions for several nations, most Central Asian states—including Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan—have remained subjected to these outdated geopolitical measures.

Independent observers maintain a skeptical outlook regarding the actual implementation of these promises, noting that Washington’s bureaucratic hurdles often stall vital trade reforms. Although officials claim that removing the amendment would facilitate broader access to the US market and stimulate foreign investments, the region continues to face persistent economic friction caused by protracted political delays in the West.

Source: kun.uz