The national employer association Ai Group today joined with six other national industry bodies to call on the World Trade Organisation to strengthen key mechanisms to support global trade.
Ai Group Chief Executive, Innes Willox said: “As a mid-sized economy Australia is reliant on a robust multilateral system to cushion us against economic coercion.
“Crucially, given the extensive digitalisation of the economy, business models and supply chains, the free and open transmission of data and digital services is critical.
“There is a real risk that the current WTO Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions will not be renewed at this upcoming Ministerial meeting. We believe that rather than being merely extended, it is essential that it is made permanent,” Mr Willox said.
The joint statement on business priorities for the coming WTO meeting is available here.
