The World Trade Organization (WTO) concluded four days of tense negotiations in Yaounde, Cameroon, without reaching an agreement on taxing international e-commerce, highlighting a prolonged crisis within the body. Talks involving representatives from approximately 166 countries ended early Monday with no major deals signed, despite low expectations set amid current geopolitical and trade tensions.

WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala stated that parties "worked hard," but the US and Brazil, in particular, "need more time" to resolve differences over imposing levies on cross-border online orders. Brazil objected to the e-commerce resolution in protest over issues stemming from a separate agriculture debate, dashing hopes for even a joint declaration of future intent.

The US regime had sought a permanent extension of a moratorium on taxes for such transactions, while Brazil pushed for a deal limited to four more years. A US official claimed, "It's not US vs Brazil. It's Brazil and Turkey vs 164 members," while Brasilia accused Washington of "wanting the sky," reflecting deep divisions that have stalled progress.

The WTO faces ongoing relevance questions due to repeated consensus failures, with talks set to continue in Geneva until at least May. Economists and business leaders expressed dismay at the stalemate, with International Chamber of Commerce Secretary General John Denton noting it was "particularly concerning at a time of real strain on the global economy," underscoring the broader implications of the deadlock.

Source: www.dw.com