Why Digital Trade Should Remain Open

December 13, 2023--Policymakers should consider the benefits of international rules that promote a predictable policy environment, including continued tariff-free digital imports
Digital trade, from software sales to streaming movies, plays a bigger role than ever in the global economy.

Yet with many developing countries struggling to fully participate in digital trade, now is the time for policy reforms that promote inclusion, starting with retaining the current tariff-free environment.

Digital trade has several unique benefits beyond traditional gains from trade. Software trade helps to digitalize the economy, increasing efficiency and boosting productivity. Trade in digital media, such as subscriptions to foreign journals, promotes interconnectivity, communication, and the transmission of knowledge and innovation. Finally, digital marketplaces, such as app stores or freelance programming websites, foster inclusion by reducing trade barriers for small firms and women-led businesses.

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WTO issues new edition of World Tariff Profiles

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The publication provides summary tables listing the average "bound" (maximum) tariffs and applied tariffs for each economy for both agricultural and non-agricultural products as of end-2024.

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