Viacheslav Evseev has a unique opportunity in the field of trade policy: he is researching the implications of Russia’s World Trade Organization (WTO) accession as it is happening, and policymakers are listening. Evseev, a Yegor Gaidar Fellow in Economics [3], is currently studying at Georgetown University’s Center for Eurasian, Russian, and East European Studies [4].
Most recently, Evseev presented his research [5] on Russia and the WTO accession to trade professionals, professors, and think tank contacts at Georgetown [6] University. Viacheslav’s research will culminate in a white paper, outlining policy recommendations regarding Russia’s WTO membership, which will be presented at the Yegor Gaidar Fellowship final program events in Moscow in the fall. Viacheslav’s research resonates with economic policymakers now, as Russia was approved for membership in the WTO at the end of 2011, ending 18 years of negotiations.
Evseev, the Director of the Center for Customs Tariff and Non-Tariff Regulation Research [7] in Russia, is also conducting research at the Dinu Patriciu Eurasia Center [8] at the Atlantic Council, working with experts in the region to study the role of public and private sectors in trade policy decisions and WTO compliance. Viacheslav has been meeting with key figures at U.S. companies, trade associations, think tanks, and government officials to discuss American perspectives on what Russia’s accession means to both the United States and Russia.
“Conducting my research in the United States at this particular moment provides me with an opportunity to see the whole accession process from outside my country, and allows me to appreciate its significance to one of Russia’s major trade partners, “ Evseev said.
He hopes to maintain the contacts he has made during his fellowship as he continues to engage both American and Russian policymakers in the ongoing conversation on Russia’s future in the WTO.
The Yegor Gaidar Fellowship Program in Economics supports collaborative research between U.S. and Russian economists in the field of public policy. Leading Russian economists are given the opportunity to engage with the U.S. policy-making community through a six month fellowship at think tanks, government institutions, or universities.
The Yegor Gaidar Fellowship Program in Economics [9] is a program of the U.S. Russia Foundation for Economic Advancement and the Rule of Law (USRF) [10] and IREX.