WTO Holds Off On E-Commerce Duties

The U.S. convinced the World Trade Organization (WTO) not to impose customs duties on international electronic transactions. In alliance with the 15 members of European Union, the U.S. has persuaded the 132-nation WTO, including reluctant developing countries, that a new action study on Internet commerce will take account of special economic, financial, and development needs. The agreement followed a visit by President Clinton, who told WTO members at their Geneva headquarters, "We cannot allow discriminatory barriers to stunt development of the most promising new economic opportunity in decades."