Larson Votes to Suspend Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus

Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. John B. Larson (CT-01) voted for the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act. As a member of the Ways and Means Committee, Rep. Larson helped lead this bill and is a cosponsor.

“Yesterday, President Zelenskyy spoke to us about the heart-wrenching humanitarian toll of Putin’s war and asked for the United States’ help. I’m proud to work with my Ways and Means colleagues to introduce and pass this legislation today to suspend normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus in response Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” said Larson.

This bill would:

• Provide the President with the authority to increase tariffs on Russian and Belarusian products.
• Require the U.S. Trade Representative to seek suspension of Russia's participation in the World Trade Organization (WTO) and to halt Belarus's WTO accession.
• Provide the President with the authority to restore normal trade relations with Russia and Belarus if they cease their acts of aggression, subject to Congressional overrule.

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