WTO’s e-commerce milestone

The WTO issues a press release along with the stabilized text and a statement from the co-convenors. The UK Department for Business and Trade publishes guidance on the WTO joint initiative. Peter Ungphakorn in his Trade β Blog asks what we should make of the new text on e-commerce. Bloomberg reports that the new text signals progress on digital trade.

Mentioned publications

Joint Statement Initiative on E-commerce (press statement) and Joint Statement Initiative on Electronic Commerce (full statement by co-conveners, Australia, Japan and Singapore) – World Trade Organization, July 26, 2024
The WTO publishes key statements and the stabilized text on E-commerce.
WTO Joint Initiative on E-Commerce guidance – UK Department for Business and Trade, July 26, 2024
The UK provides guidance on the recently published e-commerce text.
What should we make of the new text on e-commerce in the WTO? – Peter Ungphakorn, Trade β Blog, August 5, 2024
Peter Ungphakorn argues that the stabilized text will be the first set of WTO rules on digital trade, but the agreement still has a long road ahead to reach formalization.
WTO Members Signal Progress on Draft E-Commerce Deal – Brendan Murray, Bloomberg, July 27, 2024
Bloomberg reports progress on e-commerce despite lack of agreement from the US and several other economies.

Read more analysis from Peter Ungphakorn's Getting to yes: What's behind the e-commerce standoff at the WTO; and Hinrich Foundation Head of Trade Policy Deborah Elms: Getting to yes: The e-commerce JSI reaches landmark at the WTO