Negotiations on reforming the World Trade Organisation and extending the moratorium on imposing customs duties on electronic transmissions, such as digital downloads, entered their final day on Sunday without any breakthrough.
According to Report, this was reported by Reuters, citing three diplomats.
It is noted that trade ministers at the WTO meeting in Cameroon are attempting to bridge the gap between the United States and India on the issue of extending the moratorium on e-commerce, which expires this month.
The extension of the moratorium is seen as a test of the WTO’s relevance following a year of trade turmoil caused by tariff policies and serious disruptions linked to the conflict in the Middle East.
According to the three diplomats, India has indicated that it is prepared to agree to a two-year extension. US Trade Representative Jamison Greer, however, stated that Washington is not interested in a temporary extension of the ban and supports only a permanent one.
Business representatives argue that an extension is crucial to ensure predictability, fearing that tariffs might otherwise be imposed.
“A permanent extension of the moratorium would give the US the confidence to remain fully engaged in the work of the trade organisation,” US Ambassador to the WTO Joseph Barloon told Reuters ahead of the talks.
According to him, if the moratorium is not extended, the US will use this as a pretext to once again launch a barrage of criticism against the WTO.
