The round table discussion is held by representatives of the Russian Federation Council, the State Duma as well as the US Senate, the American congressmen and business circles of the two countries.
   It focuses on issues of developing trade and economic cooperation of Russia and the US. Particularly, topics of the discussion include Russian American Economic Relations of Modern Age; The Relationship Between Economics and Politics - Peculiarities of American Economic law; Russian Business' Interests, Including the Steel Industry's Interests, and Characteristics of the American Market; and The US Protectionist policy. The latter will be covered in Alexei Mordashov's speech.
   According to Alexei Mordashov, the US decision which closed off American market to Russian steel is a consequence of protectionism, which contradicts agreements reached between the two countries. Mordashov believes that it is "dangerous not only to the Russian steel industry, which lost an attractive market, but to the American industries, which consume steel products. Left without a choice, they will have to stand up to the price raises and lose their competitive advantages."
   Discussion of the present day trade and economic relationships of the two countries will continue at the video conference between the Alexander House business center in Moscow and the Ministry of Trade in the US. This part of the discussion will touch upon issues of the Jackson-Vanik amendment in force since 1974, which limits trade with Russia. Participants will also speak of the Russian business interests in the US and American business' interests in Russia. The US ambassador in Russia A. Vershbow, the US trade representative in the Russian Federation S. Vasilko, Russian trade representative in the US M. Markov, members of the US Senate and American congressmen, representatives of business circles will take part in the video conference.