The U.S. Senate has confirmed Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, raising hopes among Central Asian leaders – particularly in Kazakhstan – that his recent comments regarding the Jackson-Vanik amendment may soon translate into concrete action to repeal this outdated policy, which continues to hinder mutual trade.

Passed in 1974 as part of the Trade Act under President Gerald Ford, the Jackson-Vanik amendment was designed to penalize countries with non-market economies that restricted emigration, particularly targeting the Soviet Union. The amendment specifically sought to pressure the USSR to allow its Jewish population to emigrate freely, while also protesting the suppression of Judaism and other religious practices.

The amendment achieved a measure of success by 1989, when the Iron Curtain fell and Soviet Jews were permitted to emigrate in large numbers, primarily to Israel and the United States. However, the policy remained in place, even after the dissolution of the USSR, applying to the newly independent Central Asian republics despite their vastly different political and economic landscapes.

On January 15, Rubio delivered a nearly five-hour confirmation speech during a Senate hearing for his nomination as Secretary of State under the Donald Trump administration. Among the topics discussed was the Jackson-Vanik amendment. Senator Steve Daines specifically asked Rubio for his position on the amendment, emphasizing that its repeal could normalize U.S. trade relations with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Rubio described the amendment as “an absurd relic of the past,” asserting that it no longer serves any meaningful purpose in pressuring Central Asian countries on human rights. He warned that continued use of such measures could push nations like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan closer to Russia’s sphere of influence.

Rubio singled out Kazakhstan, noting that the country had “successfully met the conditions” to transition to a market economy, as evidenced by its accession to the World Trade Organization several years ago. He pledged to work with lawmakers to repeal the Jackson-Vanik amendment, signaling a shift in U.S. policy toward fostering deeper economic ties with the region.

Why Central Asia Was Left Behind

The continued application of the Jackson-Vanik amendment to Central Asia can be partially explained by the differing domestic policies of its key players – Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan.

Under Nursultan Nazarbayev, Kazakhstan quickly abandoned Soviet-era restrictions on emigration and took steps to promote religious tolerance and interfaith harmony. By contrast, Uzbekistan under Islam Karimov maintained many of the Soviet Union’s repressive practices, including restrictions on religious minorities. This disparity in policies contributed to Washington’s perception of the region as monolithic and resistant to reform, discouraging efforts to lift the amendment.

Recent Developments and Challenges

In recent years, there have been efforts to lower trade barriers between the U.S. and Central Asia, particularly through initiatives like the B5+1 dialogue, which aims to attract greater Western investment to the region. However, the Jackson-Vanik amendment complicates these efforts, as countries must secure an annual waiver from the U.S. President to maintain normal trade relations.

Kazakhstan has emerged as the frontrunner in advocating for the amendment’s repeal. An August report by the Congressional Research Service highlighted Kazakhstan’s progress and underscored the Biden administration’s support for repeal as a way to strengthen U.S.-Kazakhstan economic ties. The report framed repeal as a step toward helping Kazakhstan diversify its economy, which remains heavily reliant on Russia and China.

Despite this progress, a repeal bill never made it to Congress. With the Trump administration now in office, the responsibility for resolving the issue has shifted. Rubio’s recent remarks offer renewed hope that the amendment’s application to Kazakhstan will finally be repealed, marking a significant milestone in U.S.-Kazakhstan relations.

The repeal of the Jackson-Vanik amendment for Kazakhstan would be a symbolic and practical step toward deepening U.S. engagement with Central Asia. As Kazakhstan continues its economic reforms and seeks to expand ties with Western partners, Rubio’s commitment to addressing this “absurd relic” of the past could pave the way for more robust trade relations and a stronger regional partnership.