Key Country Contacts
Trade Overview
After the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union, the Russian Federation became its successor state, inheriting its prominent place on the world stage. With a GDP of $1.48 trillion in 2010, Russia is one of the world’s top exporters according to the World Trade Organization.
Russia holds the spot as the United States 31st largest trading partner, with exports steadily increasing over the past decade.
The United States exported $8.3 billion to Russia in 2011, with the majority being machinery. Russia exported $34.5 billion to the US, with 48 percent being petroleum and coal products. The oil and gas category had 29.125 percent of the total US imports from Russia.
As California’s 31st largest trading partner, Russia imported $665.6 million in goods including 23.4 percent in computers and electronics. Agricultural products and machinery both made up approximately 14 percent of the total while transportation equipment had approximately 20.1 percent of the total imported. (US Department of Commerce)
Foreign Direct Investment
Total investment by Russian business in the U.S. market reached $7.8 billion in 2009. (Bureau of Economic Analysis)
UPDATE -
The True Cost of Jackson-Vanik
The National Interest, March 29, 2012
Why Approving Permanent Normal Trade Relations with Russia is in the U.S. National Interest
U.S. Chamber of Commerce, March 2012
CalChamber Backs Permanent Normalizing of U.S. Trade Relationship with Russia
Calchamber, March 14, 2012
The functions of the WTO are:
• administering WTO trade agreements;
• providing a forum for trade negotiations;
• handling trade disputes;
• monitoring national trade policies;
• offering technical assistance and training for developing countries; and
• cooperation with other international organizations.
The Russian Federation made significant steps towards WTO membership in 2006. The United States and the Russian Federation reached a bilateral trade agreement in November 2006, which cleared a major hurdle to their membership. This follows the 2005 completion of bilateral negotiations on goods with 29 total WTO members, accounting for countries that provide 87 percent of all Russian imports.
On October 1, 2010, US Trade Representative, Ambassador Ron Kirk stated "As President Obama has made clear, having Russia in the rules-based system of the WTO is clearly in the United States' interest, and we will continue to offer our support as Russia completes the accession process. By reaching bilateral agreement on key issues related to the accession process, Russia can now devote additional energy to addressing remaining steps at the multilateral level. The United States will continue to provide support to Russia as it accomplishes these steps, and to contribute to continued momentum in the process, in cooperation with other members of the WTO."
As Russia continues to advance in its efforts to join the WTO, the United States looks forward to further enhancing bilateral trade relations with Russia.
For more information, please see
CalChamber’s Trade Issues page on the World Trade Organization
The World Trade Organization homepage
U.S. Trade Representative’s Press Release Oct. 1, 2010
U.S. Trade Representative’s page on Russian Relations
From the US Chamber: On October 20,2011 - nineteen business organizations representing the technology industry and the broader business community, including the Chamber, sent a letter to President Obama to underscore the importance of Russia joining the Information Technology Agreement (ITA) as part of its World Trade Organization (WTO) accession package.
The letter states: "We believe it is crucial for Russia to maintain its 2006 commitment to join the ITA as part of its accession package. While we are confident the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative is fully engaged in attempting to bring about this outcome, we believe it is important to directly communicate to you how essential it is to our industry that Russia become an ITA signatory and to underscore with you that the U.S. technology industry's support of Russia's accession to the WTO is predicated in large part upon it joining the ITA."
Fort Ross: The Russia - California Connection
Located approximately 2 1/2 hours above San Francisco, on California's northern coast line, sits State Historical Park Fort Ross. According to it's website, "Fort Ross was a thriving Russian-American Company settlement from 1812 to 1841. This commercial company chartered by Russia's tsarist government controlled all Russian exploration, trade and settlement in the North Pacific, and established permanent settlements in Alaska and California."
In June 2010, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Renova Group of Companies in order to affirm a partnership to support and promote the preservation of California’s Fort Ross State Historic Park, and to raise awareness of its historical and cultural significance.
Gov. Schwarzenegger and the Renova Group of Companies Sign MOU to Preserve Fort Ross State Park
Governor's Press Release, June 22, 2010
Gov. Schwarzenegger Welcomes and Meets With Russian President Medvedev, Signs MOU to Support Fort Ross State Park
Governor's Photo Essay, June 22, 2010
Recent Events
| CalChamber Meeting Highlights Russia - California Connection |
On November 2, 2010, Mr. Maxim Bezaev visited the CalChamber to discuss California - Russia Trade Relations. Mr. Bazaev is the Head of Projects and Programmes Division, within the Department of International, Foreign Economic and Interregional Relations of the Nizhny Novgorod Region of Russia.
The Nizhny Novgorod Region is located in the European center of Russia, approximately 400 km northwest of Moscow. Chief exports of this region are transporation equipment, metallurgy, chemical and petrochemical production and lumber. Nizhny Novgorod also has over 300 high-technology companies and with approximately 43 million people, it is a key Russian consumption market. For more information, please visit
www.government.nnov.ru . |
Susanne Stirling, CalChamber and Maxim Bezaev, Region of Nizhny Novgorod
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| Governor Schwarzenegger Leads Trade Mission to Russia -2010 |
 (Above)Governor Schwarzenegger speaking to the American Chamber of Commerce in Russia
Photo Courtesy of the Governor's Office
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In October, 2010 Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger led a trade mission to promote California’s leadership in the high-technology industry and strengthen relations with California’s international partners with stops in Russia and London.
In June, the Governor met with Russian Federation President Dmitry Medvedev in Silicon Valley where they discussed Russia’s efforts to generate a technology center similar to Silicon Valley in Skolkovo. The Governor is honoring President Medvedev’s invitation to come to Russia, where he will connect a number of Silicon Valley business leaders and venture capitalists with Russian leaders and business people.
Governor Schwarzenegger to Promote High-Tech Jobs and Innovation in Russia
Governor's Press Office, October 9, 2010
Governor's Photo Essay on Russia Trade Mission |