Duval Times

Since 2014, America has faced a one-sided Russian embargo that has allowed Russia’s economy to benefit while American food producers have had zero access to the Russian market. This unfair trade practice, which benefits Russia’s economy, continues to this day despite Vladimir Putin’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) is taking a stand against this injustice by reintroducing the Protecting American Food Producers from Russia’s Market Distortions Act. This bill aims to prohibit the importation of Russian agricultural products, raw materials, and food, including beef, pork, poultry, fruits, vegetables, fish, seafood, cheese, and milk, until certain conditions are met.

Senator Rubio stated, "For nearly a decade, Russia has unfairly punished American producers. President Biden cannot claim to be tough on Putin if the U.S. allows this unfair advantage over American food producers to continue. It is time to level the playing field, protect American producers, and deny Putin’s regime a source of desperately needed income."

Nine years ago, Russia imposed an embargo on American products in response to U.S. sanctions following Russia’s 2014 unjustified invasion of the Crimean Peninsula in Ukraine.

The Protecting American Food Producers from Russia’s Market Distortions Act includes the following provisions:

• Reciprocate any Russian embargo on agricultural products, raw materials, and food
• Terminate the import prohibition on covered products when the U.S. President certifies to Congress that:

1. The Russian Government has terminated its import prohibition on American products;
2. The Russian Government and its proxies have withdrawn all military and paramilitary forces from internationally recognized Ukrainian territory; and
3. The President has received credible commitments from the Russian Government that it will no longer engage in hostile action against Ukraine.

If passed, this legislation will not only protect American food producers but also deny Putin’s regime a source of desperately needed income.

Want more information?

• May 2022: Rubio Introduces Bill to Block Russian Agricultural and Seafood Imports
• March 2022: Rubio Joins Sullivan, Murkowski in Support of Bill to Ban Russian Seafood Imports