AdvertisementAdvertisementDirector-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala speaks during the opening of the WTO 14th ministerial meeting in Yaounde, Cameroon, on Mar 26, 2026. (Photo: Reuters/WTO)29 Mar 2026 05:30PM (Updated: 29 Mar 2026 05:36PM) Bookmark Bookmark WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedInAdd CNA as a trusted source to help Google better understand and surface our content in search results.Read a summary of this article on FAST.Get bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST YAOUNDE: Trade ministers are close to agreeing on a reform plan for the World Trade Organization (WTO), as wrangling continues over extending a moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions such as digital downloads, two diplomats said.The talks at a WTO meeting in Cameroon include efforts to bridge differences between the US and India over extending the e-commerce moratorium, which is due to expire this month.Extending the moratorium - first adopted in 1998 as part of a declaration to encourage early digital trade growth - is seen as a test for the WTO's relevance, following a year of tariff-fuelled trade turmoil and major disruptions due to the Iran war.DRAFT REFORM PLAN TAKES SHAPEAfter initial resistance from some WTO members, a new draft of the reform road map provides a timeline for progress and sets out the key issues to address, according to a copy of the draft seen by Reuters.Show MoreShow LessThose issues 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.The reform debate comes amid efforts to rework WTO rules to render subsidy use more transparent and make decision-taking easier. The US and the EU argue that China, in particular, has taken advantage of current rules to their detriment.Bringing into WTO rules an agreement reached by a subset of members aimed at boosting investment in developing countries also remains blocked by India, which said plurilateral accords risk eroding the body's founding principles.WTO members bypass opposition to introduce world's first baseline digital trade rulesSingapore, 9 other countries back permanent ban on tariffs on digital transmissions ahead of WTO meetingE-COMMERCE AGREEMENT KEY FOR US SUPPORTAlongside the reform discussions, a senior diplomatic source - speaking on condition of anonymity - said there was a possibility of a four-year extension to the e-commerce moratorium.India indicated on Friday (Mar 27) it would accept a two-year extension, diplomats said, while there were suggestions the US could accept a 10-year extension, another diplomat said. US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said this week that Washington wanted a permanent extension.A new draft document on e-commerce seen by Reuters proposed support for developing country members concerned about losing out on tax revenues, as well as a review clause.Business leaders say an extension is vital to guarantee predictability, fearing duties could otherwise be introduced. It is also seen as key to securing US support for the global trade body."If the moratorium does not get extended, the US will use it as an excuse to beat the WTO on the head," a senior diplomat said.Source: Reuters/rkNewsletterWeek in ReviewSubscribe to our Chief Editor’s Week in ReviewOur chief editor shares analysis and picks of the week's biggest news every Saturday.Sign up for our newslettersGet our pick of top stories and thought-provoking articles in your inboxSubscribe hereGet the CNA appStay updated with notifications for breaking news and our best storiesDownload hereGet WhatsApp alertsJoin our channel for the top reads for the day on your preferred chat appJoin hereAlso worth readingContent is loading...Expand to read the full storyGet bite-sized news via a newcards interface. Give it a try.Click here to return to FAST Tap here to return to FASTFAST