These will be more sensitive topics on the agenda this week in Geneva during this second round of multilateral negotiations on digital trade.
At the World Trade Organization (WTO), from 18 to 20 June, the 71 WTO members participating in these talks are expected to focus on four main areas: - the moratorium on customs duties; - data flows and their location, therefore also their confidentiality (see EUROPE 12264/15); - predictable rules and market access for telecommunications services, where the EU has a more offensive stance (see EUROPE A12247B7); - cybersecurity, which should help to reduce incidents and threats in this area.
However, on this last point, it should be noted that the European Consumers' Organisation (BEUC) issued a warning in March calling for the avoidance of any provision that could limit the EU's ability to regulate in this area, such as those contained in the USMCA between the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Maintaining flexible ambitions.
The first round of negotiations was held in a positive atmosphere, with major trade actors demonstrating serious engagement in these discussions, according to a source close to the talks (see EUROPE 12253/7, 12252/7).
This new project of plurilateral negotiations could, moreover, make it possible to demonstrate the relevance of the WTO at a time when the multilateral organisation is going through a deep crisis and its functioning is being questioned by Washington (see EUROPE 12264/16).
For this reason, in these talks, the EU had from the outset called for the establishment of a flexible and pragmatic negotiating framework for an ambitious and inclusive outcome: overly ambitious requirements – both in terms of text and timing – could quickly disappoint or discourage some parties, ultimately leading to a breakdown in the negotiations. (Original version in French by Hermine Donceel)