To Extend Nondiscriminatory Trade Treatment (Normal Trade Relations Treatment) to the Products of Armenia

In simple terms

This proclamation extends permanent normal trade relations (NTR) status to Armenia, removing Cold War-era Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions that had conditioned favorable tariff treatment on freedom of emigration compliance. The action takes effect immediately upon signature and requires conforming changes to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Federal Register Open PDF 70 FR 2321

Record & deadlines

Jan 7, 2005Signed
Signed by the President
Jan 12, 2005FR published
Published in the Federal Register · 70 FR 2321
Federal Register PDF
Jan 7, 2005
Extension of nondiscriminatory treatment effective upon signature

Key directives

Extend nondiscriminatory trade treatment (normal trade relations) to products of Armenia
Remove Armenia from coverage of chapter 1 of title IV of the Trade Act of 1974
Supersede inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and executive orders
Effective immediately upon signature

Prior policy

supersedeprior proclamations and executive orders inconsistent with this proclamation

What to expect

Immediate

Normal trade relations treatment takes effect upon signature (January 7, 2005)
Chapter 1 of Title IV of 1974 Act ceases to apply to Armenia
Inconsistent prior proclamations and executive orders superseded

Near term (90d)

Harmonized Tariff Schedule update to reflect NTR tariff rates for Armenia

Long term

Permanent nondiscriminatory trade framework for U.S.-Armenia commercial relations

Risks & tensions

Minimal tension given Armenia's WTO accession and emigration compliance certification
Supersession clause may create minor tariff classification uncertainty during HTS transition