Digital trade policy shifts

The US has changed its mind in the WTO E-Commerce Negotiations, but Simon Lester isn’t worried, per his International Economic Law and Policy blog. In the Financial Times, Alan Beattie considers why AI and data might not belong in trade deals. The US is postponing IPEF talks on digital trade, reports Nikkei Asia.

Meanwhile, China is relaxing some rules on data flows, perhaps signaling a shift from security to growth, write Martin Chorzempa and Samm Sacks for the Peterson Institute for International Economics, while the Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade – UN-ESCAP give us a primer on Multilateral and Regional Cooperation Trends in Digital Trade in Asia.

Mentioned publications

The U.S. Changes Its Mind in the WTO E-Commerce Negotiations – Simon Lester, International Economic Law and Policy Blog, October 30, 2023
An argument for why the US decision may not be a big deal.
Why AI and data might not belong in trade deals – Alan Beattie, Financial Times, November 6, 2023
Trade agreements are not necessarily the best place to litigate data protection issues.
U.S. looks to postpone IPEF talks on digital trade rules – Nikkei Asia, November 8, 2023
Another indication that the US is stepping away from its previous policies on digital trade.
China's new rules on data flows could signal a shift away from security toward growth – Martin Chorzempa and Samm Sacks, Peterson Institute for International Economics, October 3, 2023
China relaxes rules on cross-border data flows.
Multilateral and Regional Cooperation Trends in Digital Trade in the Asia-Pacific Region – Runqiu Du, Yann Duval, Maria Semenova, Natnicha Sutthivana, Asia-Pacific Research and Training Network on Trade – UN-ESCAP, October 2023
An assessment of current agreements and negotiations on digital trade involving Asia.