financetom
Business
financetom
/
Business
/
WTO talks end in deadlock after Brazil blocks deal over e-commerce duties
News World Market Environment Technology Personal Finance Politics Retail Business Economy Cryptocurrency Forex Stocks Market Commodities
WTO talks end in deadlock after Brazil blocks deal over e-commerce duties
Mar 29, 2026 6:25 PM

YAOUNDE, March 30 (Reuters) - World Trade Organization talks ended deadlocked on Monday as Brazil blocked a bid by the United States and other countries to secure an extension to a moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions like digital downloads, diplomats said.

The talks at a WTO meeting in Cameroon were seeking to bridge differences over extending the e-commerce moratorium, and agree to a plan for broader reform of the organisation.

Ministers there had been trying to extend the moratorium, which is due to expire this month, by four years plus an additional buffer year to 2031, diplomats said.

Talks would now continue in Geneva after the impasse on prolonging the moratorium, said the WTO conference chair Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana.

In what is seen as a test for the WTO's relevance, after a year of trade turmoil and major disruptions due to the Iran war, diplomats said ministers got stuck on extending the moratorium beyond more than two years following objections from Brazil.

U.S. WANTED PERMANENT EXTENSION

Diplomats had been working throughout Sunday to close the gaps between Brazil, which had originally sought a two year extension, and the U.S. which wanted a permanent extension, by drafting a proposed document of a four year extension with a one year sunset buffer, concluding in 2031.

Brazil later proposed a four year extension, with a review clause half way through, however, that was not supported, two diplomats told Reuters.

A U.S. official said Brazil had opposed a "near-consensus document."

"It's not U.S. vs Brazil. It's Brazil and Turkey v 164 members," said a U.S. official.

"The U.S. wanted the sky," a Brazilian diplomat told Reuters, adding that Brazil wanted to remain prudent in renewing the moratorium by two years, like in previous ministerial conferences.

"In four or five years' time, no one will be able to predict what e-commerce will be about, and this has an influence on a number of countries' policies," they added

Another diplomat said that U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer made delegates "uncomfortable" as he suggested there "would be consequences," if the U.S. did not get a long-term extension to the moratorium.

Business leaders say an extension is vital to guarantee predictability, fearing duties could otherwise be introduced. It is also seen as key to securing U.S. support for the WTO.

DRAFT REFORM PLAN TAKES SHAPE

After initial resistance from some WTO members, a new draft of the reform roadmap, seen by Reuters, that provides a timeline for progress and sets out the key issues to address was close to being agreed, three diplomats said.

Those include improving decision-making in a consensus-based system that has long been stymied by a few countries, and the trade benefits extended to developing countries.

A declaration on reform will also be sent to Geneva for further discussion, the WTO conference chair said.

The reform debate comes amid efforts to rework WTO rules to render subsidy use more transparent and make decision-taking easier. The U.S. and European Union argue China in particular has taken advantage of current rules to their detriment.

Bringing into WTO rules a deal reached by a subset of members aimed at boosting investment in developing countries also remains blocked by India.

Comments
Welcome to financetom comments! Please keep conversations courteous and on-topic. To fosterproductive and respectful conversations, you may see comments from our Community Managers.
Sign up to post
Sort by
Show More Comments
Related Articles >
SJVN secures 200-MW wind power project at ₹3.24 per unit
SJVN secures 200-MW wind power project at ₹3.24 per unit
Nov 16, 2023
Projected to generate 482 million units in its inaugural year post-commissioning, the cumulative energy generation over a 25-year span is anticipated to reach 12,050 million units. Shares of SJVN Ltd ended at ₹75.17, down by ₹0.50, or 0.66%, on the BSE.
Suzlon's S144–3 MW wind turbines get big boost from Indian government
Suzlon's S144–3 MW wind turbines get big boost from Indian government
Nov 15, 2023
Th Suzlon wind turbines received the RLMM (Revised List of Models & Manufacturers) listing from the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, marking an important milestone for the successful commercialisation of the product. Shares of Suzlon Energy Ltd ended at ₹40.49, up by ₹1.85, or 4.79%, on the BSE.
This sustainable jewellery brand is luring some women away from gold
This sustainable jewellery brand is luring some women away from gold
Oct 30, 2023
Aulerth's offerings range from ₹5,000 to as high as ₹2.8 lakh. Are women willing to spend this much on jewellery made from scrap? Founder and CEO Vivek Ramabhadran definitely believes so. Aulerth produces couture-inspired pieces in association with designers like JJ Valaya, Suneet Varma, among others. It has reported 33% repeat customers in the past year and expects a spike to 40% soon.
Tata Power Renewable Energy wins 200-MW project in collaboration with SJVN
Tata Power Renewable Energy wins 200-MW project in collaboration with SJVN
Nov 28, 2023
The firm and dispatchable renewable energy (FDRE) project, designed with a hybrid of solar, wind, and battery storage, is aimed at providing a stable and dispatchable energy supply during peak hours. Shares of Tata Power Company Ltd ended at ₹270.75, up by ₹12.60, or 4.88%, on the BSE.
Copyright 2023-2026 - www.financetom.com All Rights Reserved