WTO Releases Draft Text on E-Commerce Rules

The World Trade Organization on July 26 published a joint statement initiative on e-commerce -- the first "stabilised text" released following five years of negotiations on an e-commerce deal. The deal's eight sections cover general scope, e-commerce, "openness," trust, transparency, telecommunications, exceptions and institutional arrangements.

The European Commission expressed its support of the text, saying it will serve as the "basis for global rules on digital trade" by "facilitating cross-border electronic transactions," dropping digital trade barriers and "promoting innovation in e-commerce." The commission said the deal includes initiatives promoting electronic signatures and electronic invoices, strengthening online consumer protection and prohibiting "customs duties on electronic transmissions."

The EU said it will help take steps to integrate the deal into the WTO rulebook, which requires consensus from all members.

Japan, a co-chair of the negotiations issued a statement touting the deal's provisions, according to an unofficial translation. Japan, along with Australia and Singapore, said the deal promotes electronic payments by allowing the filing of transparent trade documents and regulations, ensures open e-commerce via the disclosure of government data and internet access, and boosts the reliability of e-commerce via cybersecurity and online consumer protection.

National Foreign Trade Council President Jake Colvin said the deal "sends an important signal of the WTO’s potential to help write new global rules for the digital economy," and that other countries will fill the "leadership vacuum when the United States steps away."