Uncategorized
WTO Ministerial Talks Collapse as E-Commerce Tariff Deal Fails
WTO Ministerial Talks Collapse as E-Commerce Tariff Deal Fails
By: Michael Mike
The 14th Ministerial Conference of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) ended in deadlock in Yaoundé, Cameroon, after member countries failed to reach consensus on extending a long-standing moratorium that prevents governments from imposing tariffs on digital transmissions.
The impasse occurred after Brazil and Turkey blocked a proposed agreement supported by most of the WTO’s 164 members to extend the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions until December 31, 2030.
The breakdown halted progress on broader reform proposals championed by the United States and exposed deep divisions among member states over the future of global digital trade governance.
Reacting to the outcome, United States Trade Representative Jamieson Greer expressed frustration over what he described as a lack of seriousness among some members, noting that months of negotiations had failed to produce a compromise.
Greer said the inability to reach consensus on a digital trade issue after nearly three decades of the moratorium was a troubling signal for the future relevance of the global trade body.
“It is particularly frustrating that the WTO could not achieve consensus to make the e-commerce moratorium permanent or even extend it beyond a short period,” he said.
The moratorium, first adopted in 1998, has been periodically renewed to prevent tariffs on electronic transmissions such as software, digital media, and online services, which form a critical component of the modern digital economy.
According to Greer, despite the failure within the WTO framework, the United States has secured commitments from several major trading partners not to impose tariffs on American digital transmissions.
He added that Washington would pursue alternative arrangements outside the WTO if consensus remains impossible within the organisation.
“If the WTO cannot achieve this commonsense objective, the United States will work with willing partners to establish a plurilateral agreement on e-commerce tariffs,” he said.
Also commenting on the outcome, Deputy United States Trade Representative and U.S. Ambassador to the WTO Joseph Barloon said Washington remains committed to pushing reforms within the global trade institution despite the stalemate.
Barloon noted that although many member countries engaged constructively during the negotiations, the refusal by a few members to support the moratorium extension prevented a broader agreement that could have strengthened digital trade rules globally.
The ministerial conference, the highest decision-making forum of the WTO, brought together trade ministers and senior officials from member states to negotiate global trade policies and reforms.
During the week-long talks in Yaoundé, Greer held meetings with several counterparts including Cameroon’s trade minister Luc Magloire Mbarga Atangana, who chaired the conference, as well as representatives of least-developed countries coordinated by The Gambia.
The United States delegation also presented reform proposals aimed at modernising WTO operations and improving its capacity to address emerging trade challenges, particularly those linked to digital commerce.
However, the collapse of the talks highlighted growing tensions among WTO members over how global trade rules should adapt to the rapidly evolving digital economy.
Analysts say the failure to extend the e-commerce moratorium could introduce uncertainty for global digital trade, as countries may now consider imposing tariffs on cross-border electronic transmissions once the current arrangement expires.
WTO Ministerial Talks Collapse as E-Commerce Tariff Deal Fails
Female Family Member of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists Surrenders in Bama
By: Zagazola Makama
A female family member linked to suspected ISWAP terrorists has surrendered to troops operating in Bama Local Government Area of Borno State.
Sources disclosed that the woman surrendered at about 10:08 a.m. on May 19 to troops of the 81 Division Task Force Battalion operating within Sector 1 Area of Responsibility.
The female surrenderer reportedly came out from Gargash village in Bama LGA and voluntarily presented herself to the troops.
Military sources said she was subsequently profiled and documented in line with existing procedures for further necessary action.
The surrender is the latest in a series of defections involving insurgents and their family members in the North-East, following sustained military offensives and clearance operations targeting terrorist enclaves across the region.
Security sources said ongoing counterterrorism operations had continued to exert pressure on insurgent groups operating within the Lake Chad Basin and Sambisa forest areas, leading to increasing cases of surrender by fighters and their relatives.
The military has maintained that surrendered individuals are subjected to profiling, intelligence gathering and other procedures in accordance with extant operational guidelines.
Female Family Member of ISWAP/JAS Terrorists Surrenders in Bama
Troops Arrest 10 Illegal Miners in Abuja Raid
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 176 Guards Battalion have arrested 10 suspected illegal miners during a raid on an illegal mining site in Gwagwalada Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 3:07 p.m. on May 20 as part of ongoing Operation MESA efforts aimed at curbing illegal mining and related criminal activities within the FCT and adjoining areas.
The troops reportedly stormed the illegal mining site following intelligence reports on the activities of suspected illegal miners operating in the area.
During the raid, the troops apprehended 10 suspects believed to be involved in illegal mining activities.
Items recovered from the site included one motorcycle, 15 mining mats, four head pans and several other mining implements used by the suspects.
The suspects are currently undergoing profiling and preliminary investigation for further necessary action.
Security sources said the operation formed part of intensified efforts by security agencies to clamp down on illegal mining activities, which authorities say contribute to environmental degradation, economic sabotage and insecurity in parts of the country.
The sources added that surveillance and enforcement operations would continue across identified illegal mining locations within the FCT and neighbouring states.
Troops Arrest 10 Illegal Miners in Abuja Raid
Troops Rescue Two Kidnap Victims, Recover Arms in Kwara Patrol
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of 22 Brigade have rescued two kidnapped victims during a fighting patrol operation targeting suspected terrorist camps in Ifelodun Local Government Area of Kwara State.
Security sources said the operation was conducted at about 9:00 a.m. on May 19 by troops deployed at Oke-Ode and Oreke communities.
The troops reportedly carried out coordinated patrols to suspected terrorist hideouts located around Famonle and Oloponda villages.
During the operation, the troops successfully rescued two kidnapped victims who were found within the general area.
Items recovered from the suspected camps included three Dane guns, three camouflage face caps, and one leg chain.
Security sources said the victims were immediately debriefed and handed over to appropriate authorities for medical attention and further management.
The operation, according to the sources, forms part of ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal hideouts and disrupt kidnapping networks operating within Kwara State.
Authorities added that patrols and clearance operations have been intensified across vulnerable communities in the state.
Troops Rescue Two Kidnap Victims, Recover Arms in Kwara Patrol
ARTICLE: Cocktail of Meth: Why Nigeria’s Forests Are the New Cartel Brewery
NDLEA Busts $360m Transborder Drug Network, Earns Tinubu’s Praise
Troops Foil Attempted Motorcycle Snatching by Plateau Militia in Mangu
Roger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
FAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoRoger Federer’s Shock as DNA Results Reveal Myla and Charlene Are Not His Biological Children
-
Opinions4 years ago
THE PLIGHT OF FARIDA
-
News1 year agoFAILED COUP IN BURKINA FASO: HOW TRAORÉ NARROWLY ESCAPED ASSASSINATION PLOT AMID FOREIGN INTERFERENCE CLAIMS
-
News2 years agoEYN: Rev. Billi, Distortion of History, and The Living Tamarind Tree
-
Opinions4 years agoPOLICE CHARGE ROOMS, A MINTING PRESS
-
ACADEMICS2 years agoA History of Biu” (2015) and The Lingering Bura-Pabir Question (1)
-
Columns2 years agoArmy University Biu: There is certain interest, but certainly not from Borno.
-
Opinions2 years agoTinubu,Shettima: The epidemic of economic, insecurity in Nigeria
