Bush removes Cold War-era trade barriers

WASHINGTON -- President Bush signed a law yesterday that ended Cold War-era trade restrictions on Ukraine, opening the way for the former Soviet republic to join the World Trade Organization.

The measure frees Ukraine from a 1974 measure called the Jackson-Vanik Amendment, which links trade benefits to the emigration and human rights policies of former or current communist states.

The new law is ''going to strengthen our ties with our good friend Ukraine and create new economic opportunities for our two countries," Bush said at a White House ceremony.

He said the bill would open new markets for American products and help Ukraine develop its economy and raise the living standards of its people.

Bush said the United States supports Ukraine's goal of joining the 148-nation WTO this year and will help it resolve issues standing in the way of its entry. Removal of the US trade restrictions was a necessary step to gain entry.

Since 1993, the United States has annually granted Ukraine normal trade relations on a temporary basis.

Ukraine President Viktor Yushchenko has welcomed the US legislation, saying ''consistent US steps in support of Ukraine on the way of reform are evidence of strategic partnership between the countries."

US exports to Ukraine, including poultry and agriculture machinery, totaled $531.7 million in 2005. Imports from Ukraine totaled $1.1 billion.