Joint statement on electronic commerce

Summary

Digital commerce has surged over recent decades, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, highlighting disparities in internet access and digital skills between countries. Regulations have not kept pace, resulting in uneven trade and investment impacts. Developed economies saw the highest e-commerce adoption. Outside the WTO, bilateral and regional agreements have helped harmonize rules on digital trade and e-commerce. The WTO E-commerce Joint Statement Initiative (JSI) aims to establish common rules on electronic commerce, focusing on enabling electronic commerce, promoting openness, ensuring trust, addressing cross-cutting issues, enhancing telecommunications, and improving market access. Since its 2017 inception, the JSI has evolved, with negotiations starting in 2019 and progressing to a consolidated text in 2020. Ten small groups have been formed to address specific areas, such as consumer protection, e-signatures and electronic authentication, open internet access etc. Key debates include data flow restrictions, network neutrality, and customs duties on electronic transmissions, with significant implications for MSMEs and public interest concerns.