No Deal on Reform, Agriculture, or E-Commerce
World Trade Organization (WTO) negotiations in Cameroon ended Monday without agreement on key issues, including reform, agriculture, and the renewal of a global ban on customs duties for e-commerce. The failure to extend the moratorium on digital trade, in place since 1998, was a major setback for developed countries and Washington.
Talks dragged on through the night Sunday, with a draft text suggesting a minimal deal was possible. But Brazil blocked consensus at the last minute, objecting to the lack of progress on agriculture. The moratorium’s expiration does not automatically trigger tariffs, but countries are now free to impose duties on cross-border digital services like e-books, music, and telemedicine.
The deadlock underscores the WTO’s struggle to adapt amid global economic turmoil, rising protectionism, and geopolitical tensions. Reform remains urgent, but consensus among the 166 members is elusive.
