Participation in plurilateral WTO negotiations on e-commerce

The WTO provides an important legal and institutional framework for establishing global rules for digital trade in the longer term. Since May 2019, around 80 WTO members, including Switzerland, have been negotiating clarifications and additions to the WTO rules regarding digital trade as part of a plurilateral initiative (Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce). The aim of the negotiations is to promote digital trade by avoiding unnecessary trade barriers and unjustified protectionism, while at the same time developing common basic principles for domestic regulation. Switzerland actively participates in the WTO negotiations, represents its interests and advocates balanced solutions in the interests of sustainable development.

Status

Start 2019
End 2023

Responsible

State Secretariat for Economic Affairs

Departments

Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

Goals

Switzerland is shaping the international discussion about the future of digital space and its governance


Domains

Framework conditions

Businesses and society can rely on a reliable and advantageous framework for the digital environment.