WTO Members Bypass Opposition to Launch Digital Trade Rules

YAOUNDE, March 28 - A coalition of 66 World Trade Organization members has moved to implement the world’s first baseline digital trade rules, circumventing opposition from key nations like the U.S. and India.

The agreement, reached at the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon, enables participating countries to adopt new digital trade standards immediately, despite previous efforts being blocked twice by dissenting members.

Japan’s State Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, Yamada Kenji, called it a "historic step," while UK Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle praised its potential to lower costs and boost security for businesses globally.

India remains a major blocker, insisting trade deals must be approved through multilateral consensus. The U.S. is not part of the pact, with its administration still reviewing the move.

This initiative stands apart from the existing e-commerce moratorium, which prohibits customs duties on digital downloads and streaming - a matter currently stalled due to political tensions between the U.S. and India.

The new rules aim to establish a global standard for digital commerce, creating a more open environment for cross-border digital transactions.