Washington — As U.S. trade policymakers prepare to focus on eliminating discriminatory trade barriers, the Computer & Communications Industry Association released a list of the most prominent digital trade barriers hindering U.S. digital exports. CCIA encourages U.S. policymakers focused on foreign markets to address digital trade barriers, and expand the reach of U.S. digital exports—a source of unique U.S. strength that delivered a $256 billion trade surplus (in digitally-deliverable services) in 2023.
In “Priority Unfair Foreign Digital Trade Practices,” CCIA outlines priorities for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), as it conducts its review of unfair trade practices, announced in January.
The list of priority digital trade barriers builds on and links to CCIA’s comments for USTR’s annual National Trade Estimate (NTE) report. CCIA also retains a breakdown of digital trade barriers globally on the CCIA website, with accompanying memos highlighting these policies region-by-region (with breakdowns for the European Union, Asia & the Pacific region, the Middle East and Africa, the Americas, and the United Kingdom all available through the visualization on the website).
The following quote can be attributed to Jonathan McHale, CCIA Vice President of Digital Trade:Di
“U.S. companies are leading exporters of digital products and services that bring significant benefits to the U.S. trade balance, the domestic economy, and the United States’ long-term competitiveness. Without meaningful access to foreign markets, these benefits are in jeopardy. The past several years have seen an increase in laws and regulations that hinder these exporters’ ability to operate in and serve foreign markets. USTR’s renewed attention to these unfair trade practices is welcome, and we look forward to this coming report as just a first step in engaging with trading partners and alleviating these harms.”
