WTO Negotiates Future of Digital Trade Tax Ban in Cameroon
WTO members in Cameroon are debating the future of a ban on digital trade duties. While the U.S. seeks a permanent deal, others cite lost tariff revenue.
The e-commerce moratorium is a global agreement among World Trade Organization members that prohibits customs duties on electronic transmissions, including digital downloads and streaming services. First adopted in 1998 in Geneva, Switzerland, as part of an effort to encourage digital trade growth, the policy covers software, e-books, music, and video games. Although originally intended to be a temporary measure, the moratorium has been renewed approximately every two years at ministerial conferences, with the most recent extension occurring in 2024. The agreement is currently scheduled to expire this month during the 14th ministerial conference held in Cameroon.
