WTO's 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14)

Ecommerce Tariffs Moratorium

• Member nations proposed a five-year extension of the global ban on ecommerce tariffs, though India resisted a long-term moratorium due to revenue loss concerns.
• The WTO moratorium prevents Customs duties on cross-border electronic transmissions, a practice extended every two years for nearly three decades.
• Most developed nations, including the US, advocate for making the moratorium permanent, while developing countries like India push for the ability to impose duties.
• The US is against another temporary extension, emphasizing the need for business certainty and WTO credibility.
• India calls for a careful review of the moratorium, highlighting the lack of a common understanding among WTO members on its implications.

Investment Facilitation for Development (IFD) Agreement

• India opposed the IFD Agreement, which is supported by 129 of 166 WTO members, fearing it might erode WTO's foundational principles.
• The IFD aims to enhance transparency in investment regulations but could dilute the multilateral nature of the WTO.
• Supporters propose including the IFD under Annex 4, making it binding only for signatories; however, consensus among all WTO members is needed.

WTO Reforms and Fisheries Subsidies

• India, South Africa, and Oman proposed a time-bound plan for WTO reforms, suggesting the General Council appoint facilitators for key issue discussions.
• India contributed to Phase II negotiations on fisheries subsidies, focusing on sustainability, equity, and Special and Differential Treatment (S&DT) for developing countries.
• India emphasized a 25-year transition period, stronger disciplines on industrial fishing, and protection for small-scale fishers.
• India highlighted that its fisheries subsidies are minimal, about $15 per fisher family annually, compared to higher figures elsewhere.