Expect permanent normal trade relations with Russia to be a high-profile issue during the political conventions in Tampa and Charlotte, especially as Russia formally joins the World Trade Organization on Wednesday, August 22.

From The Hill's indefatigable Vicki Needham, "Business groups headed to conventions to push lawmakers on Russia trade bill":

 Business groups will mount their next blitz on lawmakers to pass a bill normalizing trade with Russia at the upcoming party conventions.

The Business Roundtable and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce will head to the Republicans convention in Tampa and to the Democrats event in Charlotte to hammer home the need to pass legislation extending permanent normal trade relations to Moscow when they return to Washington next month.

“Through radio and print ads, media interviews and panel discussions, the BRT agenda to grow the U.S. economy, including PNTR with Russia, will be highlighted at the conventions," said Tita Freeman, senior vice president for communications at the BRT. 

For more, see the BRT's website on Russia PNTR, www.brt.org/russia

Meanwhile, we always appreciate the leadership of Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT) on trade. From The New Zealand Herald, "Powerful US senator to hear NZ case for trade deal":

New Zealand's Ambassador to Washington, Mike Moore - a former head of the World Trade Organisation who is back home at present - said yesterday that it was in the United States' interests to complete the TPP agreement being negotiated among 11 countries - New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Chile, the United States, Australia, Peru, Vietnam, Malaysia, Canada and Mexico.

"They know they have to set the standard in the Asia-Pacific," he said on TVNZ's Q+A show.