WASHINGTON – The technology industry trade group ITI, the global voice of the tech sector, released a statement commending World Trade Organization (WTO) member economies for agreeing to renew the Moratorium on E-Commerce, which for almost two decades has served as a bulwark against customs duties on electronic transmissions. The agreement comes with the welcome announcement that 70 WTO economies, including the European Union and United States, will begin work “towards future WTO negotiations on trade-related aspects of electronic commerce.” The announcements were made at the conclusion of the bi-annual WTO Ministerial in Buenos Aires.

“We congratulate WTO member economies for agreeing to renew the Moratorium on E-Commerce, which has played a key role in promoting and safeguarding digital trade, for both the tech industry and the larger business community,” said Josh Kallmer senior vice president of global policy at ITI. “Ensuring data can flow across borders without barriers benefits every company that buys, sells, or uses digital products or services and drives innovation, job creation, and economic growth in the United States, Europe, and around the world. We’re encouraged, too, by the commitment by 70 member economies to explore formal WTO negotiations on e-commerce. The tech industry looks forward to working together with our government partners to help make the Moratorium permanent and to ensure that the e-commerce negotiations succeed.”