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The American Chamber of Commerce to the EU (AmCham EU) is deeply concerned by World Trade Organization members’ failure to reach agreement on the moratorium on E-Commerce at the 14th Ministerial Conference (MC14) in Cameroon. The absence of an agreement undermines legal certainty for businesses and consumers worldwide. This deadlock further underscores the need for significant WTO reform.

Since its introduction, the moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions has played a vital role in enabling the global digital economy by ensuring the smooth cross-border exchange of digital goods and services. In an increasingly digitalised global economy, predictability remains essential for companies of all sizes operating across borders.

WTO members must now renew efforts to re-instate the moratorium at the next General Council meeting as a matter of priority. Delivering such an outcome would strengthen the multilateral trading system and better reflect the realities of modern trade.

On Wednesday, 25 March, Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU spoke at the EU-US Young Leaders Summit in a seminar organised by Fulbright and the German Marshall Fund, focused on business leadership in times of economic disruption. Mr Lohan underlined that companies are operating in an increasingly complex environment, shaped by geopolitical tensions and diverging EU and US policy approaches. He also stressed the importance of a strong transatlantic economy and called for a pragmatic approach that supports cooperation and avoids further fragmentation.

Today the European Parliament adopted its negotiating position on proposals to reduce tariffs on certain imports from the United States, in line with the July 2025 EU-US Framework Agreement. The Parliament’s vote clears the way for trilogues to finalise these proposals.

Reacting to the vote, Malte Lohan, CEO, AmCham EU, welcomed the Parliament’s decision as a necessary step towards a more predictable transatlantic marketplace: ‘The Parliament today has taken a decision that helps put the EU-US trade and investment relationship back on track. It is the right signal for businesses that have been stuck in limbo over the past year.’

‘AmCham EU opposes broad-based tariffs. However, given political priorities on both sides of the Atlantic, we still see the Framework Agreement as the most realistic route to securing a more constructive EU-US trade and investment climate’, Mr Lohan added. ‘We call on the Parliament and Member States to conclude trilogues swiftly. Once the tariff reductions are approved, the EU and the US can get back to advancing the cooperation the Framework Agreement envisages on a range of areas that benefit European and American businesses alike. We look to both sides to continue honouring their commitments throughout this process.’