USCIB Statement on WTO MCM14: It’s Crunch Time

March 30, 2026, Washington, DC — The US Council for International Business (USCIB) is disappointed in the lack of outcomes from the 14th WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14) meeting in Cameroon, where Ministers failed to agree on a reform work plan and renewal of the moratorium on the application of customs duties on electronic transmissions. This represents a real setback for USCIB members.

USCIB was on site to represent member company interests at MC14, which was billed as a reform round and an opportunity to provide parameters and timelines for improving the WTO’s negotiating and monitoring roles and to restore confidence in the functionality of the institution. A long-term renewal of the moratorium would have advanced that goal and we commend the US Administration’s efforts in this effort. So too would adoption of the Investment for Development Agreement into the WTO framework. Unfortunately, blocking actions from just a few countries thwarted these outcomes, exposing flaws in WTO negotiating functions that ministers must address.

The WTO may yet return to the negotiating table in the weeks ahead to try to salvage MC14 outcomes. Meaningful renewal of the moratorium should be priority one. USCIB will continue to engage in this process, as it did in Cameroon, to revitalize the global rules-based trading system and achieve meaningful outcomes for business.

About USCIB

The United States Council for International Business (USCIB) powers the success of US business across the globe. Our members include US-based companies and professional services firms from every sector of the economy, with operations in every region of the world. As the US affiliate of leading international business organizations including Business at OECD (BIAC), the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), and the International Organization of Employers (IOE), USCIB advances the US business perspective to policymakers and regulatory authorities worldwide and works to facilitate commerce, support sustainable development, and build trust in multilateral systems. USCIB is also the national guaranteeing and issuing association for ATA Carnets, a unified international customs document that allows for the temporary import and export of various types of goods into a foreign country without paying duties or taxes. Learn more at www.uscib.org.