E-commerce discussions in the World Trade Organization (WTO) currently take place in two parallel tracks. The WTO Work Programme on Electronic Commerce, launched in 1998 (of a non-negotiating and exploratory nature), and the Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) on e-commerce, which aims to produce a binding agreement among its members. This initiative encompasses both traditional trade topics (e.g. trade facilitation) and several digital policy issues, such as cross-border data flows and data localization, online consumer protection and privacy.
Negotiations on the WTO’s JSI on e-commerce outcome document are progressing and aim to reach a “technical” conclusion of the negotiations on digital trade area by the WTO’s Ministerial Conference 13, scheduled for February 2024.
This policy brief explores the main topics covered in the WTO joint initiative on e-commerce negotiating text.
Negotiations on the WTO’s JSI on e-commerce outcome document are progressing and aim to reach a “technical” conclusion of the negotiations on digital trade area by the WTO’s Ministerial Conference 13, scheduled for February 2024.
This policy brief explores the main topics covered in the WTO joint initiative on e-commerce negotiating text.
