Electronic Commerce Under the WTO Regime: Assessing the Characterisation of Goods for Trade in Digital Economy

Electronic commerce has boosted business through cross-border trade and commerce, connecting global consumer markets. However, after twenty-five years of negotiating history, the World Trade Organization (WTO) has failed to design global governance for electronic commerce. Its member states have not come together despite its Joint Statement Initiatives. This article argues that the significance of the digital economy lies in the global governance of electronic commerce and the correct characterisation of goods traded through the Internet. It examines the prospects for global governance under the WTO regime.