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CUTS Daily Bulletin # 04 | March 28, 2026
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The Conference has not produced any tangible progress even on the third day of intense deliberations. The key areas of contention are WTO reforms aimed at meeting the present-day realities of global trade, despite the fact that the item received widespread support, but a handful of countries are blocking the progress. The other key area of divergence between the developing and the developed member countries are about a US led push to extend the moratorium on import duty exemptions for e-commerce activities such as digital download which has been in existence since 1998. While the United States and the EU are pressing for a permanent moratorium on imposing duty as most of these digital products originate from them , India and a handful developing countries are ready to provide a limited time extension, citing revenue loss to importing countries as the digital product import increased over the years. The push for incorporating an Investment for Development (IFDA) agreement binding to all the WTO members also failed to take off due to strong opposition from India and few others.
Since there has not been any major progress update to report, the scheduled NGO briefing has been cancelled by the WTO Secretariat and the main venue even on the third day of the Conference. The trade and sustainability hub from 26th to 28th March, the venue for the side events at Hilton Hotel, continued to host well attended workshops, where the experts discussed key issues affecting the global trade and sustainable development.
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C-BAM is a Trade Border Adjustment Mechanism
The key focus of the discussion held in the session “Making Trade Policy Work Equitable Green Transition” has been the need for credible convergence between Trade Agreements and Green Economic Transition Commitments to address climate change. The bone of contention in the matter is the stated implementation of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism ( C-BAM) in 2026 by the European Union (EU). It is none other than a Trade Border Adjustment Mechanism by the EU for eroding their competitive edge against import from developing countries, said Pritam Banerji of Centre for WTO Studies, an India based think tank. Speaker spoke the challenges as well as high implementation cost in complying with the EU directive on verifiable green production and process methods by developing country manufacturers to avoid a carbon emission tax at destination while exporting to EU markets. However, speakers flagged high cost of procuring green and clean technologies, the challenges with technology transfer and patent related bottlenecks, that make the compliance with C-BAM quite expensive, that could in practice erode the competitive edge of developing country exports to the EU, in products based on steel, aluminium, copper etc.
Another track of approach to address the conundrum on trade and environment linkages, the COP 30 held in Brazil initiated the Integrated Forum on Trade and Environment (IFCCF) to have non binding commitment and dialogue to promote green transition through trade among countries, though it has not made much progress.
Another session hosted by the Istanbul Mineral and Metal Exporters Association shared experience of Turkey in reducing carbon emission in steel, aluminium, electric and electronic sectors from processes ranging from mining, manufacturing and waste management in addressing climate change and trade linkages. Speakers called the C-BAM as nothing other than green protectionism and Turkey has serious challenges in complying with the EU regulations on this Mechanism.
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India shows statesmanship at the WTO MC14
Contrary to the public perception India, being an opponent, is willing to support plurilaterals, including IFD and Ecommerce, if they follow a proper process and build in guardrails or safeguards.
India will also support reforms at the WTO to a development agenda. On the moratorium on customs duties on digital trade India will go around with the consensus of around four years transition.
A senior ambassador said in seriousness that at this ministerial
When we are coming to an end, there is only country which is holding up.
"India is not that country", he said.
At this time (4.50pm local time) a contentious negotiation is going on between Brazil and USA on agriculture. We await the outcome with bated breath but with optimism..
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India supports draft WTO fish declaration, says subsidised industrial fleets cause overfishing
The Economic Times, March 28, 2026
India on Saturday supported the draft decision of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to continue negotiations to curb subsidies that contribute to overcapacity and overfishing, with special and differential treatment an “integral part” of these talks. New Delhi underscored that the challenge of overcapacity and overfishing arises from heavily subsidised industrial fleets, and not from small-scale fishermen in India and other developing countries.
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India stands alone against China-led investment pact at WTO meet
MSN, March 28, 2026
India's Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced the country's position on Saturday. While invoking the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi, Goyal framed the proposal a contentious systemic issue.
"Drawing inspiration from Mahatma Gandhi ji's philosophy of Truth prevailing over conformity, India showed the courage to stand alone on the contentious issue of the IFD Agreement and did not agree to its incorporation into the WTO framework as an Annex 4 Agreement," Goyal wrote on social media.
Goyal warned that incorporating the IFD Agreement risks eroding the functional limits of the WTO and undermining its foundational principles. New Delhi believes that this key concern has not been adequately addressed by the broader membership.
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WTO members bypass opposition to introduce world's first baseline digital trade rules
Reuters, March 28, 2026
A group of World Trade Organization members agreed on Saturday to sidestep adoption hurdles for the world's first baseline on digital trade rules, opting to bring the agreement into force among consenting participants, the WTO said.
In recent years, efforts by a group of countries to fold the E-Commerce Agreement into the WTO rulebook were twice blocked by dissenting members. The pact aims to foster an open environment for digital trade.
The push to accelerate entry into force, among members who represent 70% of global trade, stems from mounting frustration over those obstructions, a senior diplomat told Reuters. Under WTO rules, plurilateral agreements among subsets of members require consensus.
At the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference in Cameroon, 66 members settled on an interim arrangement to activate the deal within their countries while pursuing broader incorporation into the WTO framework.
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Ministers exchange views on key WTO topics, consider paths forward at MC14
WTO News, March 28, 2026
Ministers and senior officials attending the WTO’s 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) participated in a series of meetings on 28 March to address key issues on the WTO agenda and to provide political direction for the post-MC14 work ahead.
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Jaipur • New Delhi • Chittorgarh • Kolkata • Hanoi • Nairobi • Lusaka • Accra • Geneva • Washington DC
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