WTO MC14 Yaoundé, Cameroon: United States Pushes for Permanent E-Commerce Moratorium, Indonesia Risks Losing Tariff Revenue from U.S. Big Tech Electronic Transmissions

WTO MC14 Release – 3^rd Edition

MC14 Yaoundé, Cameroon, 28 March 2026– At the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), held from 26–29 March 2026 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, recent developments indicate that the United States remains the strongest proponent of making the e-commerce moratorium permanent. Meanwhile, countries such as India oppose a permanent moratorium, instead supporting only a limited extension of no more than two years. In a similar vein, South Africa has proposed extending the e-commerce moratorium for up to four years.

Both India and South Africa have conditioned their support for extending the e-commerce moratorium on a corresponding extension of the TRIPS Non-Violation Complaints (NVC) moratorium. Nevertheless, the United States continues to firmly push for the e-commerce moratorium to be made permanent. In fact, it appears that the U.S. delegation arrived at WTO MC14 with the explicit aim of ensuring that a permanent moratorium is adopted at the Yaoundé conference.

Rahmat Maulana Sidik, Executive Director of Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ), speaking directly from MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon, stated: “This will have serious implications for developing countries such as Indonesia. According to IGJ’s analysis, the e-commerce moratorium primarily benefits Big Tech companies, particularly those from the United States, such as Apple, Amazon, Nvidia, Microsoft, and Meta Platforms,” said Maulana, who is attending MC14 in person.

Maulana further added: “The WTO e-commerce moratorium could result in significant revenue losses for Indonesia. Estimates suggest that foregone tariff revenue from digital products, such as music, films, and software, could reach approximately USD 54 million annually. IGJ also estimates that developing and least-developed countries collectively could face losses of up to USD 56 billion,” he continued.

“This phenomenon reflects a broader shift in the accumulation of global capitalist wealth, from the exploitation of natural resources to the extraction and control of data, digital platforms, services, and technological infrastructure,” Maulana concluded.

Muhamad Aryanang Isal, Program Coordinator for Digital Economy, Business, and Human Rights at IGJ, emphasized: “The Indonesian government must take a firm stance in calling for the termination of the e-commerce moratorium at MC14 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.”

“We cannot allow U.S. Big Tech companies to continue profiting from the Indonesian market while remaining beyond the reach of our taxation system. Indonesia should also take a more active role in consolidating positions with other developing and least-developed countries affected by the dominance of U.S. Big Tech,” Isal concluded.

Media Contact:

Rahmat Maulana Sidik, Executive Director, Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ) – rahmat.maulana@igj.or.id

Related publications, visit:

1. Policy Brief Indonesia for Global Justice (IGJ). https://igj.or.id/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Policy_Brief_Big_Tech_di_Balik_Perjanjian_Perdagangan_Moratorium.pdf
2. Lembar Fakta: https://igj.or.id/2024/02/22/lembar-fakta-moratorium-wto-mengenai-bea-cukai-transmisi-elektronik/.
3. https://igj.or.id/2026/03/28/pertemuan-ke-14-komite-multilateral-wto-di-yaounde-negara-negara-berkembang-menolak-moratorium-perdagangan-elektronik/.
4. Pemerintah Indonesia Harus Hati-Hati Membahas Agenda Reformasi WTO: https://igj.or.id/2026/03/27/pemerintah-indonesia-harus-berhati-hati-membahas-agenda-reformasi-wto/.
5. Agenda Reformasi WTO Amerika Serikat Mengancam Negara Berkembang: https://igj.or.id/2026/03/26/agenda-reformasi-wto-amerika-serikat-mengancam-negara-berkembang/
6. https://igj.or.id/2026/03/26/di-tengah-krisis-dan-perang-indonesia-harus-memimpin-perjuangan-negara-dunia-selatan-untuk-keadilan-perdagangan-di-wto/.

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