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world5h ago
WTO talks end in stalemate over e-commerce
Dw.com and 1 more
- WTO ministers ended the Yaoundé meeting without a deal to extend the e-commerce moratorium or advance a reform work plan, despite hours of late-night talks.
- Okonjo-Iweala signaled that despite near agreement, members ran out of time and will continue discussions in Geneva to finalize a Yaoundé package.
- A four-year extension of the e-commerce moratorium was being discussed, with a tentative one-year sunset clause to allow business adjustment.
- The United States pressed for a longer horizon on the moratorium and tied any extension to progress on broader WTO reform.
- Brazil vetoed extending the moratorium, contributing to the stalled progress and friction among major players.
- UK officials lamented the setback, stressing the need for reform to keep WTO rules relevant, flexible, and accessible.
- The UK signaled continued pursuit of reform and planned a small ministers’ group to discuss delivering a strong future for free and fair trade.
- A bloc of 66 countries chose to press ahead with a new path and maintain the ban on digital tariffs pending resolution.
- The meeting reflected persistent tensions between major players as talks ran overtime with the goal of Yaoundé package concepts continuing at WTO headquarters.
- Analysts and trade observers viewed the Yaoundé outcome as a setback amid broader global economic strain and reform fatigue at the WTO.
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