Source · Select Committees · Business and Trade Committee
Recommendation 8
8
Accepted
Step up engagement to encourage alignment in digital rules and support WTO e-commerce.
Recommendation
The Government should step up collaborative engagement to encourage greater alignment and interoperability in digital rules, while maintaining strong multilateral commitments. In particular, the Government must continue to support the WTO e-commerce moratorium and the Joint Statement Initiative on e-commerce. (Recommendation, Paragraph 49)
Government Response Summary
The government states that the UK is a leading voice at the WTO, actively supports the e-commerce moratorium, and has played a leading role in the E-Commerce Joint Initiative, having joined the resulting agreement in July 2024.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The UK continues to be a leading voice on digital trade at the World Trade Organization (WTO). We are strong supporters of the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions (E-Commerce Moratorium) and continue to work towards keeping it in place and ultimately making it permanent. The UK has played a leading role in E-Commerce Joint Initiative negotiations and joined the resulting WTO Agreement on Electronic Commerce in July 2024 as a founding Member. While we are disappointed that a small minority of WTO Members blocked the incorporation of the Agreement into the WTO rulebook, we and our likeminded partners are committed to giving it legal effect, including on an interim basis if necessary, as soon as possible.