Last week, on April 8, 2022, United States President Biden signed H.R. 6968 “Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act” and H.R. 7108 “Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act” into law.
H.R. 6968, the “Ending Importation of Russian Oil Act,” which statutorily prohibits the importation of energy products from the Russian Federation; and
H.R. 7108, the “Suspending Normal Trade Relations with Russia and Belarus Act,” which suspends normal trade relations with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus and seeks to further leverage trade and human rights sanctions.
The suspension of permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) means any products from the Russian Federation, or the Republic of Belarus must now pay Customs duties as outlined in Column 2 of the Harmonized Tariff Schedule (HTS). The law also authorizes additional duty increases on applicable products from the two countries at the discretion of the President.
Public Law No. 117-109
Bans the import of petroleum and energy products outlined in Executive Order 14066, commonly classified under Chapter 27, from the Russian Federation.
Both laws include language that allow for the restoration of normal trade relations and energy imports if Russia and Belarus reach an agreement to withdraw from Ukraine, recognize Ukraine’s right to sovereignty, and cease aggression with any North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members.
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