Mapping the rules for digital trade
The Goonies would never have left their attic without the map of One-Eyed Willy’s treasure. In digital trade, maps come in the form of clear rules and evidence-based tools.
The new OECD Index of Digital Trade Integration and Openness (INDIGO) is like Mikey’s doubloon he holds up to the coastline to look for the treasure — aligning the pieces so that countries can see where they fit in the larger global digital trade picture and, importantly, where opportunities lie.
Progress is real, but the adventure has just begun. The global economy is only 8.5% of the way towards full digital trade integration and openness. While digital trade provisions in trade agreements have advanced discussions, at present, these only contribute 10% of existing digital trade integration and openness.
But a map alone is not enough. The OECD Digital Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (DSTRI) acts like a warning sign. In some places, digital services flow freely. In others, barriers — such as licensing rules, data localisation requirements, or restrictions on data flows — act like jagged walls or narrow ladders, forcing firms to slow down.
The DSTRI shows that while the path is perilous, even a moderate reduction in barriers can boost trade. And not just in digitally deliverable services but also in manufacturing, agriculture, and food exports.
Playing the right notes: Cross-border data flows
One of the most unforgettable scenes in The Goonies is the bone organ puzzle. Each correct note brings them closer to the treasure; each wrong one triggers disaster.
Cross-border data flows work the same way. Played well, they unlock opportunity: OECD-WTO research shows smart rules could boost GDP by 1.7% and exports by 3.6%. Mishandled, they can stop progress cold, risking losses of 4.5% of GDP and 8.5% of exports.
Don’t set off the trap: The WTO E-Commerce Moratorium
When the Goonies finally reach the treasure, it is surrounded by danger. Move the wrong thing and the cave collapses.
This mirrors the dilemma countries face with the WTO Moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. Since 1998, countries have agreed not to impose customs duties on things like software or digital media, which has helped digital trade thrive.
But at the upcoming WTO Ministerial Conference (MC14), the Moratorium’s future is on the table. Some argue it’s time to lift it in search of new revenue. Yet OECD analysis shows fiscal gains would be minimal, while the risks are real: higher trade costs, reduced competitiveness, and lost opportunities for SMEs and developing economies.
Like One-Eyed Willy’s treasure, digital trade is precious but fragile. Trigger the trap, and the way forward narrows fast. Keeping the Moratorium in place means protecting the path forward—not just for those already at the table, but for everyone still trying to make it through the tunnel.
Never say die
At the end of their journey, the Goonies realise the treasure is not just gold, but the chance to save their community.
The benefits of digital trade are similar: not just more trade, but growth, jobs, and opportunities that can transform economies. But just as the Goonies couldn’t have succeeded without teamwork, these benefits rely on international co-operation.
The WTO Agreement on E-commerce, currently under negotiation, could be a game-changer, reshaping the foundations of digital trade. OECD evidence shows that, if signed today by WTO Members supporting its incorporation into the WTO architecture*, digital trade integration and openness would rise by 21%. If extended to all WTO members, it would go up by 244% (see below). Like in the film: the more allies, the greater the chance of success.
* For a list of AoE 71 WTO Members, see WT/GC/W/963.
In the end, The Goonies is about resilience, trust, and friendship. For digital trade, the same spirit applies — building trust, sharing knowledge, and embracing change. With the right policies and partnerships, countries can unlock the full potential of the digital economy and ensure the treasure is shared fairly and sustainably.
As Mikey says in one of the film’s most iconic moments:
“Goonies never say die.”
And neither should we, as we storm ahead into the future of digital trade.
