The State Duma passed a law allowing the introduction of counter-sanctions in response to the unfriendly steps of the United States and other states. The bill will enter into force from the first day of publication. The final version was adopted on the third reading.
The law on measures to counter the sanctions of the United States and other "unfriendly" states was adopted in the third reading on May 22, 2018. Of their 417 deputies, 216 voted for him, only one abstained. Based on the law, the government can impose various economic measures in response to US sanctions. Such actions may concern:
- international cooperation;
- export of products;
- privatization and some other areas.
The initial project contained 16 directions, within which there was an indication of specific commodity groups, including products and medicines. But it was decided to exclude such transfers from the text. As a result, the bill became more general in nature. After criticism from business, experts and relevant government agencies, the deputies finalized the project.
By the third reading, the list of companies that could be subject to counter-sanctions was expanded. If in the first version the measures extended to companies with a foreign share of more than 25%, now they can affect all legal entities. persons who are directly or indirectly under the control of unfriendly countries.
One of the sensational measures was the imposition of an embargo on products manufactured in the United States or other unfriendly states.
Features of the bill
Despite the fact that the government was given the opportunity to introduce countermeasures, it does not have the right to touch vital goods. It is impossible, for example, to impose a ban on drugs whose analogues are not produced in Russia or other countries.
The decision to introduce counter-sanctions can be made by the head of state on the basis of the Security Council's proposals. With the elimination of the conditions that led to the imposition of retaliatory actions, ministers will be able to undo the imposed measures without much difficulty.
The purpose of the bill is not to limit, but to protect national interests, rights and freedoms of citizens. This was stated by the first deputy head of the United Russia faction, Andrei Isaev. He noted that the whole world should understand that actions directed against the inhabitants of Russia will not go unpunished. Sanctions can affect both entire countries and specific legal entities and individuals.
In one of the discussions, it was suggested that the US authorities are carefully studying and selecting areas to be sanctioned. The Russian authorities now have similar capabilities. At the same time, the law states that not only the prescribed restrictions can be used, but also other measures proposed by the President of Russia. This is the broadest clause of the bill, since it leaves the possibility of expanding the measures of influence.
Simultaneously with this law, the State Duma is considering a bill on criminal liability for the observance of Western sanctions on the territory of our country. It was adopted in the first reading, but was heavily criticized by big business. Therefore, it was decided to postpone the adoption of the document until it is finalized.
The authors of both bills are Vyacheslav Volodin and the leadership of the Duma factions. Among the authors are Speaker of the Federation Council Valentina Matvienko, head of the United Russia faction, leader of A Just Russia and others. The initial initiative came from the previous government with the support of the presidential administration.
