Washington – The Computer & Communications Industry Association called on World Trade Organization (WTO) Members to make permanent and binding the longstanding moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, as a key outcome of the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon from March 26–29. First adopted in 1998 and renewed regularly thereafter, the moratorium has been a cornerstone of the global digital economy, enabling the seamless cross-border delivery of digital goods and services.
The moratorium is an essential foundation for maintaining stability, predictability, and growth in digital trade. To that end, CCIA has consistently advocated, alongside a broad coalition of industry stakeholders, for making the moratorium permanent and binding to support continued innovation, investment, and access to digital services worldwide. Unfortunately, the WTO’s historic pattern of short-term extensions, particularly when mired in unpredictable, opportunistic horse-trading linked to unrelated issues, defeats that very goal. A permanent and binding commitment is the only viable path to provide long-term certainty for businesses and consumers. It will also clear the way for Members to return to more productive negotiations, including in digital trade.
The following can be attributed to CCIA Vice President, Digital Trade Jonathan McHale:
“After more than 25 years, it is time to end the tired cycle of brinksmanship, horse-trading, and temporary extensions and make the e-commerce moratorium permanent. WTO members know it is the right policy; failure to take this step only perpetuates dysfunction and the diminished relevance of the WTO. A permanent and binding commitment would send a clear signal that WTO members are serious about supporting a modern trading system fit for the digital age and finally put to rest the recurring debates over short-term renewals that continue to distract from urgently needed, substantive WTO reform. The message should be clear: Make it permanent; Move on.”
