00:00Talks at the World Trade Organization, WTO, have ended in deadlock after Brazil blocked a push by the United States
00:08and others to extend a ban on taxes for digital trade.
00:12Expectations had been low going into the meeting, but the failure to renew the measure is seen as another setback
00:19for the WTO, which has been struggling to stay relevant as countries increasingly work around it.
00:29Ministers got stuck on extending the moratorium beyond more than two years, following objections from Brazil.
00:35WTO Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Ewalia said that with the ban now expired, countries could start imposing taxes on digital
00:43services, such as downloads and streaming.
00:46However, she added that efforts are ongoing to restore the measure, with Brazil and the U.S. still trying to
00:52reach an agreement.
00:53Further talks are expected in Geneva in May.
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