A Vision for the WTO’s Global Digital Trade Rules

This policy briefing is a proposal for establishing global digital trade regulations within the World Trade Organization (WTO) framework. This initiative aims to create the first-ever comprehensive set of global rules governing digital commerce, with the goal of streamlining international digital trade and supporting digital inclusiveness and economic growth, particularly for developing and least developed WTO member countries. The proposal builds upon the 1998 WTO work program on electronic commerce and includes key elements such as prohibiting customs duties on electronic transmissions, promoting e-invoicing, and addressing various aspects of digital trade including paperless trading, consumer protection, personal data protection, cybersecurity, and e-payments. This policy briefing represents a significant step towards creating a unified global regulatory environment for digital trade, recognizing the growing importance of e-commerce in the global economy and the need for clear, consistent rules to govern this rapidly evolving sector.