The United States has indicated it will scale back its reliance on the World Trade Organization following a failed ministerial meeting in Cameroon, with U.S.
Trade Representative Jamieson Greer stating on Monday that Washington will pursue alternative trade arrangements with like-minded countries, Reuters reported.
In a statement released nearly 24 hours after the meeting ended without agreement, Greer expressed frustration over the outcome, which collapsed after Brazil and Turkey blocked an extension of the long-standing e-commerce moratorium.
The impasse effectively ended the policy that had, for 28 years, prevented tariffs on digital transmissions.
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Greer said he was “disappointed at the lack of seriousness” demonstrated by several WTO member nations in supporting a broadly acceptable reform agenda.
He added, “I have always been skeptical of the value of the WTO, and this week’s conference confirmed that this organization will play only a limited role in future global trade policy efforts.”
Greer, who has been a key architect of Donald Trump’s wide-ranging tariff strategy against global trading partners, reinforced the administration’s intent to shift direction.
He also voiced concern over the lapse of the e-commerce moratorium, noting that it had previously been extended routinely for nearly three decades.
“Fortunately, the United States has secured commitments from dozens of countries, and nearly all of our major trading partners, not to impose tariffs on U.S. digital transmissions,” Greer added.
“If the WTO cannot achieve this commonsense aim, the United States will work outside of the WTO with all interested partners to get it done.”
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Image Credit: Grainews
