Lawmakers urge USTR to push for extension of WTO's moratorium on digital
trade
Send a link to a friend
[June 13, 2022]
By Andrea Shalal
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A bipartisan group
of U.S. lawmakers urged U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai to push
during World Trade Organization meetings this week for an extension of a
moratorium on tariffs on digital trade that has been in place since
1998.
More than 100 trade ministers from the WTO's 164 members are meeting in
Geneva this week, but the 27-year-old trade body remains deeply
challenged by crises ranging from Russia's war in Ukraine to the
COVID-19 pandemic.
WTO chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala expressed cautious optimism on Sunday that
one or two global deals could be reached this week, but said there were
still challenges to overcome.
Thirty-four U.S. lawmakers, led by Democratic Representative Suzan
DelBene and Republican Representative Darin LaHood, warned that one of
the key issues at hand - whether to renew a moratorium on tariffs on
digital goods such as e-books, movies and video games and digital
services such as emails, texts and software - would have big
consequences for the United States.
"Failing to renew the moratorium, as we have done for
more than twenty years, would undermine the strength of the American
economy, jobs, and innovation," they told Tai in a letter dated Friday
that was viewed by Reuters.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Jun/13/images/ads/current/LPL_small%201.gif)
[to top of second column]
|
![](../images/061322PIX/news_q33.jpg)
U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai speaks during a reception to
celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander
Heritage Month, in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington,
U.S., May 17, 2022. REUTERS/Elizabeth Frantz/File Photo
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2022/Jun/13/images/ads/current/2022%20Business%20Directory%20Cover%20lda%202022.png)
DelBene told Reuters extending the ban on e-commerce tariffs should
be "low-hanging fruit for the WTO."
One senior USTR official expressed hope the moratorium could be
extended, and said U.S. officials had made clear to opponents they
would also be harming developing countries.
In their letter, the lawmakers noted trade in digital goods and
services had become increasingly vital to U.S. workers and
businesses, including many small businesses that used digital tools
to export their products and services overseas.
If India and other countries prevailed in their efforts to end the
moratorium, countries would be able to slap duties on sectors such
as manufacturing, agriculture, entertainment, software, and
financial services, which would further disrupt supply chains and
jack up consumer prices, the lawmakers said.
(Reporting by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Chris Reese)
[© 2022 Thomson Reuters. All rights
reserved.]
This material may not be published,
broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Thompson Reuters is solely responsible for this content. |