WTO: BusinessEurope priorities for the 14th Ministerial Conference

Key messages

The rules-based trading system remains important, providing the basis on which most of global trade takes place, offering predictability for business. At the same time, the challenges at the level of the WTO decision-making and dispute settlement functions are significant. Ahead of the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference:

• BusinessEurope calls on WTO Members to treat MC14 as a pivotal moment for reform. Discussions must turn into action. At minimum, MC14 must deliver a formal Work Programme on WTO Reform, including decision making, level playing field and development (S&DT).
• WTO members should agree on the extension of the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, having a permanent solution in mind.
• At the same time, WTO members should find a pathway to anchor the Agreement on Electronic Commerce as well as the Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement in the WTO legal framework.
• Finally, we call on the WTO members to consider the adoption of a Work Programme on Trade and Industrial Policy to explore linkages between policies and navigate the discussion around industrial policy and level playing field.