WASHINGTON — The Business Software Alliance (BSA) expresses its disappointment at the failure of WTO members to reach consensus at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Yaoundé, Cameroon, on a longer-term extension of the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions and the associated E-Commerce Work Programme.

BSA thanks the Government of Cameroon for hosting the Ministerial Conference and commends the many WTO member delegations that worked creatively and diligently in search of a compromise that all WTO members could support. BSA is particularly grateful for the efforts of the co-sponsors of the permanent moratorium proposal.

"The overwhelming support from 164 WTO members for a durable, longer-term moratorium shows just how broadly it is understood that duty-free digital trade is a cornerstone of the global economy," said Joseph Whitlock, Senior Director, Policy, BSA. "While it is deeply disappointing that consensus could not be reached at MC14, the case for a permanent bar on digital customs duties has never been stronger, and we urge WTO members to redouble their efforts to get this done — whether on a multilateral or plurilateral basis."

More than 100 industry associations from across the globe joined in calling for a permanent moratorium ahead of MC14, highlighting broad and sustained private sector support for keeping digital trade free from tariffs.  

BSA urges WTO members to use the period before the General Council meeting in May to advance agreement on a longer-term extension, building on the Yaoundé package, and to continue refraining from imposing duties on electronic transmissions in the interim. BSA also endorses Ambassador Greer's call for like-minded countries to commit to a permanent moratorium and strongly supports a plurilateral path forward to cement durable, enforceable protections for cross-border digital trade.  

"WTO members still have an opportunity to reach an enduring agreement in Geneva — one that safeguards open digital trade and enables continued cooperation on e-commerce to bolster job growth, economic growth, and innovation across borders," Whitlock added. "The momentum behind this issue is real, and a historic agreement is within reach. We urge all WTO members to seize this opportunity."