Singapore backs pact to reinforce WTO trade rules

Actions include a possible permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, amongst others.

Singapore along with nine other countries have endorsed a ministerial declaration for strengthening the rules-based trading system.

Actions include a possible permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions, and advancing agricultural reform, according to a press release from the 10 members of the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership,

The declaration, developed under the FIT, saw the countries committing to incorporating two WTO agreements—the WTO Investment Facilitation for Development Agreement (IFDA) and the WTO E-Commerce Agreement (ECA)—into WTO’s legal architecture.

The partnership also said that they will promote provisions consistent with the IFDA and ECA in other bilateral, regional, and plurilateral agreements where appropriate.

They also seek to implement a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions.

Members also committed to persevering the WTO dispute settlement system by “not appealing into the void.” They committed to using the Multi-Party Interim Appeal Arbitration Agreement (MPIA) in future and current WTO disputes as an interim appeal mechanism pending the completion of the dispute settlement reform.

Finally, the partnership said they will advance agricultural reform at the WTO in accordance with Article 20 of the Agreement on Agriculture.

Ministers and representatives in attendance expressed the hope that these efforts would contribute to and build momentum for constructive engagement and concrete progress at MC14.

The FIT Partnership was first launched in September 2025 as a platform for small, medium, and trade-dependent countries to incubate and test solutions and facilitate trade and investment.

The partnership also aims to support the rules-based trading system, and contribute to a predictable, transparent, non-discriminatory, open, and fair global trading environment.