A global WTO ban on taxing digital streaming and downloads across national borders expired on March 30; negotiations are set to continue in Geneva this spring
A prohibition on taxing digital downloads expired, after members of the World Trade Organization concluded their annual meeting without an agreement.
New York Times Ana Swanson
Related Coverage
- Press Release Regarding the WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference United States Trade Representative
- US Sees ‘Limited Role’ for WTO After Ministerial Meeting Yields Little Bloomberg · Brendan Murray
- WTO talks stalled going into final day amid U.S.-India e-commerce deadlock Reuters · Olivia Le Poidevin
- Global Ban On Digital Duties Expires After Stalled Talks At WTO Meeting Slashdot · BeauHD
Discussion
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@berndlange
Bernd Lange
on x
Today, supporters of the multilateral trading system are waking up with a hangover. We knew that a breakthrough might not materialise, but that doesn't make it any less painful. I am especially concerned about the failure to agree on a work plan for WTO reform. 1/4
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@berndlange
Bernd Lange
on x
Also, without an agreement to extend moratorium on digital tariffs, a period of great uncertainty could soon begin for businesses and consumers. Fortunately, there is also some silver lining. I am encouraged by the fact that plurilateral negotiations are still taking place. 2/4
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@davidheniguk
David Henig
on x
The WTO Ministerial Council failed to reach conclusions. No great surprise given the volume of global mistrust exacerbated by President Trump. In particular the moratorium on duties on digital downloads has expired, countries may now use this as a threat against the US.
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@scottlincicome
Scott Lincicome
on x
“WTO reform talks collapse over US-Brazil standoff” https://www.ft.com/... “The failure to extend the moratorium opened the door to countries to impose tariffs on digital services.” [image]
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@davidheniguk
David Henig
on x
So right now the big threat to world trade is the discussion that isn't happening - the demonisation of dependencies and weaponisation of supplies. Countries committing not to do things on digital trade they weren't going to do anyway makes no difference. https://ecipe.org/...
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@berndlange
Bernd Lange
on x
Maybe this uncertainty can also serve as a wake-up call. WTO DG's appeal to take much-needed decisions at next General Council meeting deserves strong response. Ambassadors in Geneva should leave no stone unturned to get to results in the coming weeks, especially on reform. 4/4
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@berndlange
Bernd Lange
on x
The decision to apply the plurilateral e-commerce plurilateral on an interim basis is an important step forward. Many members still want agreements to be negotiated in the WTO. The WTO may seem down, but it is far from out. Now is the time to steer it back on course. 3/4
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@davidheniguk
David Henig
on x
Conventional trade wisdom holds that plurilaterals / coalitions of the willing will set trade rules in the absence of agreement at the WTO. Thing is... conventional wisdom has held this for many years during which time little new ground has been covered. https://www.politico.eu/.…