GENEVA, SWITZERLAND (RFD NEWS) — The World Trade Organization’s latest ministerial conference ended without agreement, raising new questions about the group’s role in global trade policy. A proposed extension of the long-standing moratorium on digital trade tariffs was blocked, preventing broader progress on reforms backed by the United States.
U.S. Trade Representative officials said the failure to extend the e-commerce moratorium highlights growing divisions among member countries. The United States had pushed to make the tariff pause permanent or extend it, but opposition from key countries prevented a consensus.
The outcome also stalled a broader U.S.-led reform agenda to modernize the WTO. While many members supported reform discussions, participation and levels of agreement fell short of expectations, limiting the organization’s ability to act.
WTO leadership noted some progress, including continued work on fisheries subsidies and support for smaller economies. However, several major issues — including digital trade rules — remain unresolved and will be taken up in further negotiations in Geneva.
