BritishAmerican Business Joins Leading Business Groups to Support WTO E-Commerce Initiative

BritishAmerican Business has joined 26 business groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Global Innovation Forum, techUK and Information Technology Industry Council in support of efforts to secure a World Trade Organization (WTO) Agreement on E-Commerce that is “inclusive, high-standard, and commercially meaningful.”

The position paper, released today, includes 13 recommendations for what should be included in any agreement concerning E-Commerce agreed upon by the WTO:

1.Prohibit internet tariffs and customs formalities on electronic transmissions;
2. Facilitate the flow of data across borders;
3. Prohibit requirements to localize the storage and processing of data;
4. Ensure the protection of personal data;
5. Prohibit requirements to disclose source code, algorithms, or encryption keys;
6. Promote government cooperation and regulatory best practices for cybersecurity;
7. Promote state-of-the-art good regulatory practices in the regulation of digital services;
8. Pursue “TFA-plus” provisions that facilitate e-commerce, including through increasing de minimis levels and simplifying customs clearance for low-value shipments;
9. Promote acceptance of electronic contracts, signatures and authentication;
10. Ensure the adoption of non-IP intermediary liability protections;
11. Expand market access for services;
12. Expand market access for ICT goods through accession to the WTO Information Technology Agreement; and,
13. Facilitate access to and use of government data. In an effort to provide substantive support to the continuation