On April 8, 2022, President Joseph Biden signed into law H.R. 7108, the Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act, and H.R. 6968, the Suspending Energy Imports from Russia Act. Both pieces of legislation passed the Senate and House of Representatives on April 7, 2022.
The Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act (now Public Law No. 117-110) suspends the United States’ granting of permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia and Belarus. The removal of PNTR status includes the withdrawal of “most favored nation” tariffs and will result in higher tariffs on the import of goods imported from Russia and Belarus. The law also gives the president authorization to increase the duties applicable to products imported from these two countries.
The Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act (now Public Law No. 117-109) suspends imports of Russian petroleum products that are classified under Chapter 27 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States (HTSUS) and as set forth in Executive Order 14066.
Provisions in both laws allow for the restoration of normal trade relations and resumption of imports of petroleum products upon certification to Congress that Russia and Belarus:
- have reached an agreement relating to the respective withdrawal and cessation of military hostilities that is accepted by the free and independent government of Ukraine;
- pose no immediate military threat of aggression to any North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) member; and
- recognize the right of the people of Ukraine to independently and freely choose their own government.
Upon signature by President Biden, the White House released a statement available here. These new laws codify previous executive actions taken by President Biden. See Updates of March 12, 2022 and March 9, 2022.