Information Technology Agreement (ITA)

The WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) is an undertaking to liberalise global trade in IT products. The Agreement entered into force on 1 July 1997 with 29 original signatories, including Australia. The Agreement now comprises 75 participants, covering 97 percent of global trade in IT products. In joining the ITA, participants commit to eliminating tariffs on all products covered under the Agreement, including computers and peripheral equipment, electrical components such as semiconductors, computer software, telecommunications equipment and analytical instruments among other products. The tariff commitments undertaken in the Agreement are made on a most-favoured nation (MFN) basis, meaning participants must extend their commitments to all WTO Members. The Agreement also provides for a work programme to review non-tariff barriers (NTBs) which impact upon trade in IT products.

Australia remains an active participant of the ITA, and supports continued efforts to liberalise global trade in IT products. In the 2011 Leaders' Declaration, Leaders of APEC economies, including Australia, committed to "play a leadership role in launching negotiations to expand the product coverage and membership of the WTO Information Technology Agreement, in order to build on the contribution this Agreement has made to promoting trade and investment and driving innovation in APEC economies."

Since the inception of the ITA, participants have continued to discuss where to expand or add to the Agreement, including expanded product coverage and NTBs. Participants also continue to discuss implementation matters and new participants. DFAT would appreciate any comments from interested stakeholders across any of these issues. Comments should be sent to ita@dfat.gov.au.