Alan Yanovich Quoted on Digital Duties Ahead of WTO Ministerial Conference
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Akin international trade partner Alan Yanovich has been quoted by Reuters and Law360 on the potential expiration of a moratorium on applying duties to electronic transmissions.
The World Trade Organization’s moratorium on the imposition of customs duties on electronic transmissions is up for renewal during the body’s 13th ministerial conference, taking place in Abu Dhabi on February 26-29.
In Reuters’ article “WTO meeting in Abu Dhabi – what’s at stake?” Alan outlines what could happen should no agreement be made, and the moratorium expires, “It could really be a hamper on the growth of what is the fastest growing economy sector in many countries.”
In Law360’s article “US Small Business Have Most to Lose From Digital Duties,” Alan further highlights the possible ramifications borne out in the immediate aftermath of the moratorium expiring, “The main thing, at least initially, is the uncertainty that it would create.”
Alan highlights Indonesia, the first WTO country to create space in its tariff schedule of “intangible goods” currently covered by the moratorium, as a potential example for countries looking to reap new duty revenues, “While Indonesia’s current rate for electronic transmissions is 0%, that could rise very quickly after the moratorium expires.”
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