Co-convenors of the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce announce substantial conclusion of negotiations on global digital trade rules
30 January 2024
On 20 December 2023, the Ministry of Trade and Industry (“MTI”) jointly issued a press release with its counterparts from Australia and Japan announcing that the co-convenors of the World Trade Organization Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce (“JSI”) have reached substantial conclusion of a number of global digital trade rules. The rules cover the three broad areas of digital trade facilitation, open digital environment, and business and consumer trust. This marks a significant milestone in the JSI, which commenced negotiations in January 2019. These rules will facilitate the ability of JSI participants to ride the rapid growth of digital trade and deliver tangible benefits to governments, businesses, and consumers.
JSI participants will continue to strive for convergence on outstanding issues, including customs duties on electronic transmissions, development, electronic payments, information and communication technology products that use cryptography, and telecommunications services. Looking ahead in 2024, JSI participants will focus on resolving these issues, as well as those related to horizontal provisions and legal architecture.
The press release states that the JSI aims to conclude negotiations in a timely manner in 2024.
The JSI co-convenors, namely, Australia, Japan and Singapore, also released a joint statement to accompany this announcement. The press release also sets out statements made by representatives of the JSI participants, including from Singapore, Australia, Japan, China, Costa Rica, the EU, The Gambia, Kazakhstan, Mauritius, the UAE, the UK, and the US.
Reference materials
The following materials are available on the MTI website www.mti.gov.sg: