WTO Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce: Co-Convenor Statement Released

Japan, Australia, and Singapore have led negotiations on the WTO initiative on E-Commerce as co-conveners since the launch of negotiations in January 2019, in which 90 countries and regions, accounting for 90% of total global trade, participate.

The Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) hereby announces that the co-convenors released a co-convenor statement and announced the substantial conclusion of negotiations on global digital trade rules on 13 articles.

Key points of the statement are as follows:

• The negotiations on global digital trade rules on 13 articles were substantially concluded.
• JSI participants will continue to strive for convergence on the remaining articles, including the provision of ICT products that use cryptography.
• Concerning the articles of customs duties on electronic transmissions, the co-convenors encourage other JSI participants to join the consensus on an ambitious commitment that will  add to the commercial impact of the agreement.
• All JSI participants support the development provision, including with a view to ensure that the JSI remains open and inclusive for all WTO Members, especially least developed countries (LDCs).
• A number of challenging proposals, including data flows and localization, and source code, represent important issues for many JSI participants, but they will require substantially more time for discussions.
• JSI participants will strive to conclude negotiations in a timely manner in 2024.

In the release of this statement, Mr. Saito Ken, Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry, commended the progress made so far, stating that “the rules that have been substantially concluded herald the promising outcome that deliver opportunities for the digital economy to flourish further,” and expressed his willingness to “continue to be committed to reaching milestone achievements to promote Data Free Flow with Trust (DFFT) " as a future effort.
In addition, the ministers of many JSI participants shared their expectations for realizing an outcome in future , while commending the progress made in the negotiations, having established global digital trade rules that will contribute to the businesses and consumers. Also, H.E. Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, WTO Director-General, delivered a message that “[t]he JSI on E-Commerce offers a unique opportunity for participants to design shared global rules that will enhance stability and predictability and lower costs for businesses.”

• Press release by the co-convenors: WTO Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce: Co-Convenor Statement(PDF:108KB)

Division in Charge

Digital Trade Policy Office, Trade Policy Bureau