The moratorium, in effect since 1998, has prevented customs duties on electronic services such as digital downloads and streaming.

WTO MC14 Ends Without Agreement on E-Commerce Tariff Moratorium, India Opposes Extension

The World Trade Organization concluded its 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on Monday after four days of discussions. A key point of contention remained unresolved: the extension of the moratorium on customs duties for e-commerce.

Trade ministers tackled multiple topics during the meeting chaired by Cameroon’s Trade Minister Luke Magloire Mbaraga Atangana. Among the pending issues were the WTO’s procedures for e-commerce, the continuation of the ban on imposing duties on electronic transmissions, and disputes linked to trade-related aspects of intellectual property rights (TRIPS). These matters are expected to be discussed further at the WTO headquarters in Geneva.

The moratorium, in effect since 1998, has prevented customs duties on electronic services such as digital downloads and streaming. While the ban has been extended periodically at ministerial conferences, disagreement arose over its next term. Some member countries favor a two-year extension or oppose further extensions, while the United States has proposed a five-year continuation.

India has consistently opposed extending the moratorium, including at the previous MC13 meeting in Abu Dhabi in 2024, when it was extended for two years. The current moratorium is set to expire later this month.

Negotiations during the conference also highlighted differences between Brazil and the United States over the import duty rules for e-commerce, reflecting the challenges of reaching consensus on digital trade issues.

(With Inputs from PTI)