World Trade Organization (WTO) Members Negotiate Extension of E-commerce Tariff Moratorium in Cameroon

Key facts

• The World Trade Organization (WTO) is holding a ministerial meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, to discuss the extension of the global moratorium on e-commerce tariffs.
• The moratorium, which prohibits customs duties on electronic transmissions such as digital downloads and streaming, is due to expire this month.
• India signalled a potential shift in its position by suggesting a two-year prolongation of the e-commerce moratorium.
• The United States (US) Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stated that Washington seeks a permanent extension of the ban rather than a temporary one.
• The e-commerce moratorium has been maintained through temporary extensions for nearly 30 years to provide regulatory predictability for global businesses.
• India reiterated its opposition to incorporating plurilateral agreements into the WTO rulebook, citing concerns over the erosion of the organisation's foundational principles.
• A group of 66 WTO members agreed to implement a separate baseline on digital trade rules among consenting participants, bypassing traditional adoption hurdles.
• The European Union (EU) Commissioner for Trade and US officials highlighted that bilateral and plurilateral deals are essential for reforming the WTO system.