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Singapore, 9 other countries back permanent ban on tariffs on digital transmissions ahead of WTO meeting
The ten members of the Future of Investment and Trade Partnership expressed support for such a measure after convening virtually ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference, scheduled for Mar 26 to 29.
Ministers and representatives of the endorsing countries of the Declaration on Strengthening the Rules-Based Trading System are seen during the virtual Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership ministerial meeting on Mar 16, 2026. (Image: Future of Investment and Trade Partnership)
SINGAPORE: Singapore and nine other economies on Monday (Mar 16) backed the creation of a permanent World Trade Organization (WTO) moratorium that prevents countries from imposing tariffs on electronic transmissions such as software downloads, streaming content and other digital products.
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Naysayer to decision-maker
India is one of the global leaders in digitally delivered services and goods trade through e-commerce. The government has taken several measures to promote small and medium enterprise exports through online platforms at a time of global trade uncertainty. As the World Trade Organization (WTO) approaches its next Ministerial Conference (MC14) next week in Cameroon, debate intensifies on India’s position regarding the moratorium on e-commerce. Should India secure its export interests and shift from a naysayer to a decision-maker, or continue aligning with South Africa and Indonesia, even if they shift positions for key markets like the US?
Discussions on e-commerce began in 1998 with the establishment of the Working Programme on E-commerce (WPEC) at the WTO. Members agreed to a “moratorium”—no customs duty on electronic transmissions. This has been renewed at each Ministerial Conference and was extended in MC13 until MC14 or March 31, when both the moratorium and WPEC are set to expire. Progress on trade rules within WPEC has been limited, raising questions about its survival.
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