APEC Summit 2012: Hillary Clinton says US seek better Russia trade ties

Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has said that the US administration wants to normalize trade relations with Russia this month.

Hillary Clinton said the government was working closely with the US Congress to get the necessary legislation passed.

She was speaking ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in Vladivostok.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has urged a fight against protectionism to turn the global economy around.

And Chinese President Hu Jintao promised his country would try to help the world’s economy by increasing the demand in China for imported goods.

Although Russia is now a member of the World Trade Organisation, there is still a piece of legislation that prevents US companies trading normally with Russia – the 1974 Jackson-Vanik amendment which, although suspended, remains in place.

In her speech to the APEC summit in the Russian port city, Hillary Clinton – who is standing in for President Barack Obama – said she welcomed Russia’s commitment to playing a greater role in the Asia-Pacific region.

She added: “To make sure our companies get to compete here in Russia, we are working closely with the United States Congress to terminate the application to Jackson-Vanik to Russia and grant Russia permanent normalized trade relations.

“We hope that the Congress will act on this important piece of legislation this month.”

However there are concerns in the US Congress about Moscow’s support for Iran and Syria, as well as its broader human rights record, so the timing of a vote on the issue remains unclear.

Vladimir Putin, who is hosting the summit, expressed concern about the world economy, and particularly Europe’s debt crisis.

“The priority goal is to fight protectionism in all its forms. It is important to build bridges not walls,” he said.

President Hu Jintao said: “The world economy today is recovering slowly, and there are still some destabilizing factors and uncertainties.

“The underlying impact of the international financial crisis is far from over.

“We will work to maintain the balance between keeping steady and robust growth, adjusting the economic structure and managing inflation expectations. We will boost domestic demand and maintain steady and robust growth as well as basic price stability.”

Meanwhile, Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has left the talks early to return home after her father died.