Negotiations between trade representatives and senior officials from roughly 166 countries concluded early Monday in Yaounde, Cameroon, without any major agreements after four days of talks. Delegates had aimed to finalize an e-commerce deal, but Brazil rejected the text at the last minute, blocking consensus.
WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala said participants “worked hard,” adding that the United States and Brazil, in particular, “need more time” to bridge differences over proposed levies on cross-border online purchases. The dispute scuttled hopes for even a joint declaration when Brazil raised an objection to the e-commerce resolution in protest over unrelated agricultural negotiations.
The core disagreement centered on a moratorium on customs duties for electronic transmissions. The United States pushed for a permanent extension, while Brazil wanted the moratorium limited to another four years. A U.S. official characterized the split as “Brazil and Turkey vs 164 members,” while Brazil accused Washington of “wanting the sky.”
Observers said the breakdown deepens questions about the WTO’s ability to reach consensus after a string of stalled talks, putting the body’s relevance under renewed scrutiny. Delegates expect negotiations to continue at WTO headquarters in Geneva and plan to keep working through at least May.
Economists and business groups reacted negatively to the stalemate. International Chamber of Commerce Secretary General John Denton called the outcome “particularly concerning at a time of real strain on the global economy,” warning that unresolved digital trade rules could hinder cross-border commerce and investment.
Edited by: Natalie Muller