ALBANY (AP) -- U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer is seeking action by the Obama administration to push Russia into an agreement that would protect New York high-technology companies including IBM Corp.
The Democrat wants the administration to secure a commitment from Russia to join an information technology agreement.
Member countries eliminate import tariffs.
Without that, IBM and other American companies would have to pay the Russian duty and be at a competitive disadvantage. Schumer says companies might even be forced to move jobs to Russia to serve that market without having to pay the import duty.
Schumer says IBM already sells $14 million in hardware to Russia. He said sales could expand from New York-based factories if the tariff is eliminated.
Schumer is releasing a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk on Thursday.
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