To Extend Nondiscriminatory Treatment (Normal Trade Relations Treatment) to the Products of Ukraine, and For Other Purposes

This proclamation grants Ukraine permanent normal trade relations (NTR) status, ending application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment's emigration-linked trade restrictions. It also implements a separate trade agreement to eliminate U.S. tariffs on certain multi-chip integrated circuits by modifying the Harmonized Tariff Schedule.

Federal Register Open PDF 71 FR 16969

Impact dates

Apr 1, 2006
Zero duties on multi-chip integrated circuits effective for goods entered or withdrawn from warehouse
Mar 31, 2006
NTR treatment for Ukraine effective

Key directives

Extend nondiscriminatory treatment to products of Ukraine
Terminate application of chapter 1 of title IV of the 1974 Act to Ukraine
Modify HTS to apply zero duties to goods under tariff item 8543.89.96
Supersede inconsistent provisions of prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Timeline

Immediate

NTR treatment for Ukraine effective March 31, 2006 upon signature
Supersession of inconsistent prior proclamations and Executive Orders

Near term (90d)

Zero tariff on multi-chip integrated circuits effective April 1, 2006

Long term

Permanent normalized U.S.-Ukraine trade relationship
Ongoing duty-free treatment for covered multi-chip integrated circuits

Risks & tensions

Supersession clause in paragraph 5 is vague—no specific prior proclamations or EOs identified, creating uncertainty about scope of override
Dual-purpose proclamation combines geopolitical gesture toward Ukraine with narrow technical tariff change for semiconductors; latter may attract limited industry attention while broader NTR move has foreign policy significance
Jackson-Vanik graduation for Ukraine had been legislatively authorized by Public Law 109-205; proclamation is implementing action rather than independent policy initiative