U.S. and India remain split on WTO e-commerce moratorium extension

try{ var _=i o; . if(!_||_&&typeof _==="object"&&_.expiry Trump Mulls deployment of Marines to Iran, Houthis strike Israel as war continues Expert says the upcoming week will be a pivotal moment in the Iran war. Here’s why Leading broker sees gold falling to $3,700 as a real possibility U.S. tech pullback mirrors late stages of dotcom era, strategists say (South Africa Philippines Nigeria) U.S. and India remain split on WTO e-commerce moratorium extension By Author Simon Mugo Economy Published 03/29/2026, 12:44 AM U.S. and India remain split on WTO e-commerce moratorium extension 0 MSFT -2.51% GOOGL -2.34% AAPL -1.62% Investing.com -- Trade ministers gathered in Cameroon for the World Trade Organization summit have entered the final day of negotiations with no breakthrough on a critical moratorium regarding digital customs duties. Get premium news and insight, AI stock picks, and deep research tools by upgrading to InvestingPro The primary point of contention remains the extension of a long-standing ban on imposing tariffs on electronic transmissions, such as digital downloads and software. The current moratorium is set to expire this month, and the outcome of the talks is being viewed by many as a definitive test of the WTO’s relevance following a year of global trade turmoil and supply chain disruptions. The standoff: Permanence vs. temporary extension The negotiations are currently stalled by a significant gap between the positions of the United States and India. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer has signaled that Washington is not interested in a temporary renewal, instead pushing for a permanent ban to ensure long-term market predictability. Conversely, Indian diplomats have indicated a willingness to accept only a two-year extension. While some Western diplomats are exploring a "pathway to permanence", potentially a 10-year compromise, there is little consensus among the broader membership to go beyond the 24-month mark. Business leaders have warned tha...