U.S. House of Reps. votes to remove ‘most favored nation’ status from Russia and Belarus

The United States House of Representatives voted 424-8 on Thursday to remove Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR) status from Russia and Belarus in retaliation for the invasion of Ukraine.

The removal of “most favored nation” trade status means any goods imported to the US from Russia and Belarus would be subject to higher tariffs.

The move would need to pass a vote in the Senate to become law, and while it is expected to pass as overwhelmingly there as it did in the House, the US imports so few goods from Russia and Belarus that experts say the move is mostly symbolic.

All “no” votes in the House came from Republicans, who believe the Magnitsky Act, which allows the US to quickly and more easily impose sanctions on Russia for human rights violations, gives too much power to the US president. 

The US also plans to urge other governments across the globe to consider similar measures against Russia and Belarus. The measure passed on Thursday includes directions for U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to use “the voice and influence of the United States at the WTO” to persuade world leaders to use their economic clout against the Kremlin.