Leonid Smirnov, an American businessman, is asking President Trump for help to save his $200 million canned-food business. Russian authorities have taken over his company, Glavprodukt, and seized its assets. Smirnov fled the Soviet Union in the 1970s, and in 1999, he started Glavprodukt, which became well-known in Russia. The company, founded by the Canned-Food Tycoon, is famous for its canned soups, vegetables, fish, and meat. It became a household name in the country.
Russian Government Targets American-Owned Business
Smirnov warns that the takeover of his company is a raid. He says the Russian government is trying to steal his business. Smirnov believes this could happen to any American company in Russia. Since the invasion of Ukraine, Russia has targeted foreign businesses. A dozen companies have been placed under “temporary management” in the last few years. Glavprodukt, owned by the Canned-Food Tycoon, is the first American-owned company to face this kind of treatment.
Company Losing Value and Workers
Things took a turn for the worse last October when three strangers arrived at Glavprodukt’s headquarters. They were sent by the Russian government. Their mission was to take control of the company. This move came after Putin ordered the temporary management of Smirnov’s company and other assets he owns in Russia. Since that time, Smirnov says, the company has started losing money. He believes the company’s value has dropped by 30 percent. Key employees have also been fired because they were not loyal enough to the new management.
Accusations and Growing Fears
The situation worsened when Russian authorities accused Smirnov of illegally sending millions of dollars to the U.S. They also claimed he was working with the U.S. to help defeat Russia. Smirnov says he now fears for his safety and that of his family. He believes the Russian government is using these false accusations to put pressure on him to sell the company at a much lower price.
Legal Actions and Company at Risk
Two weeks ago, a Russian court issued a seizure order for the company’s assets. This included cash and other holdings related to Glavprodukt. Russian prosecutors said Smirnov had been illegally sending dividends to the U.S. Smirnov sees this as part of the pressure campaign to force him into a sale. “I spent 26 years building this company,” he says. “It’s like a family to me. I have 1,000 workers, and some of them have been with the Canned-Food Tycoon for over 20 years.”
Timing of Seizure and Its Impact
Smirnov believes the timing of the seizure was planned. It happened just weeks before the U.S. election last year. He says that if Kamala Harris had won, there would have been no chance for him or any other American business in Russia to survive. Smirnov feels that the new government in the U.S. would not have acted to protect American businesses in Russia.
Rubio’s Statement and Smirnov’s Fears
Senator Marco Rubio has suggested that any future talks about U.S.-Russia relations should include businesses like Glavprodukt. He believes these issues should be part of any conversation about American companies that have been harmed in Russia. However, Smirnov is afraid that by the time these discussions take place, his company may no longer exist. He is asking President Trump to intervene and send a clear message to Russia that American-owned businesses like those of the Canned-Food Tycoon must be protected.
“I am asking President Trump to help save my company and all American businesses in Russia,” Smirnov says. He hopes that with Trump’s help, Glavprodukt can survive and remain a strong part of the American business presence in Russia.
