State Department · Monday, October 19, 2026
Rubio asks Congress to repeal a Cold War trade law
The File desk · Oct. 19, 2026, 7:15 a.m. ET
Status
- ConfirmedRubio said almost 300 American businesses came with him to a meeting with five Central Asian countries.
- ConfirmedRubio said the administration wants Congress to repeal the, and that Congress has not done it.
Legal instrument
Jackson-Vanik amendment (19 U.S.C. § 2432)
This 1975 trade law bars normal trade relations for a nonmarket-economy country that restricts emigration, taxes it, or blocks it. The President may waive that bar for a country, a year at a time, after reporting to Congress that the waiver will substantially promote freer emigration.
Legal instrument
Jackson-Vanik amendment (19 U.S.C. § 2432)
This 1975 trade law bars normal trade relations for a nonmarket-economy country that restricts emigration, taxes it, or blocks it. The President may waive that bar for a country, a year at a time, after reporting to Congress that the waiver will substantially promote freer emigration.
Legal instrument
Jackson-Vanik amendment (19 U.S.C. § 2432)
This 1975 trade law bars normal trade relations for a nonmarket-economy country that restricts emigration, taxes it, or blocks it. The President may waive that bar for a country, a year at a time, after reporting to Congress that the waiver will substantially promote freer emigration.
Notes
- 1.State Department, Secretary Marco Rubio remarks to the press, Samarkand, Oct. 19, 2026. The is
Legal instrument
Jackson-Vanik amendment (19 U.S.C. § 2432)
This 1975 trade law bars normal trade relations for a nonmarket-economy country that restricts emigration, taxes it, or blocks it. The President may waive that bar for a country, a year at a time, after reporting to Congress that the waiver will substantially promote freer emigration.
, "Freedom of emigration in East-West trade." From Jan. 3, 1975, products from a nonmarket-economy country are not eligible for normal trade relations if that country denies its citizens the right to emigrate, taxes emigration more than nominally, or imposes more than a nominal tax on emigration papers. The President may waive that bar by executive order after reporting to Congress that the waiver will substantially promote the objectives of the section and that he has received assurances on emigration practices. Further extensions run in 12-month periods. Text read Monday on the Legal Information Institute copy. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/19/2432Legal instrument
Jackson-Vanik amendment (19 U.S.C. § 2432)
This 1975 trade law bars normal trade relations for a nonmarket-economy country that restricts emigration, taxes it, or blocks it. The President may waive that bar for a country, a year at a time, after reporting to Congress that the waiver will substantially promote freer emigration.
What is still unknown or disputed
- The signed deals were not on the page.
- This story does not say which countries still depend on a waiver, because that history was not re-checked.
Primary sources
Every claim in this story is drawn from the documents below. If a fetch failed, that is recorded on the card.
Source 1
Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarks to the press, Samarkand
U.S. Department of State · October 19, 2026
We have an incredible delegation, almost 300 American businesses that are here with us. Well, you'll have to ask Congress. We are in favor of repealing it.
https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesman/2026/10/secretary-of-state-marco-rubio-remarks-to-press-17/
Source 2
19 U.S. Code § 2432 — Freedom of emigration in East-West trade
Legal Information Institute · January 3, 1975
To assure the continued dedication of the United States to fundamental human rights, and notwithstanding any other provision of law, on or after January 3, 1975, products from any nonmarket economy country shall not be eligible to receive nondiscriminatory treatment (normal trade relations).
https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/19/2432