Rubio Vows to Modernize U.S. Trade Policy in Central Asia

Donald Trump’s return to the White House is raising hopes in Kazakhstan that long-reviled Jackson-Vanik trade restrictions will be repealed soon. More broadly, the incoming US administration is sending signals that a Biden administration initiative to improve political and trade ties with Central Asia will continue.  Repeal expectations in Astana are based on comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio during his confirmation hearings earlier in January at which he expressed a commitment to improving trade relations with Central…