Washington – The Senate has confirmed a new leader to be the United States Trade Representative. During his hearing before the Senate Finance Committee Jamieson Greer committed to upholding USTR’s core mission of negotiating and enforcing trade rules and standing up against unreasonable or discriminatory barriers, including in the digital space. According to the government’s own numbers and definition of digital trade, US companies exported $656 billion worth of digitally delivered services in 2023, accounting for 2.4% of GDP.
The reassurance in the USTR confirmation hearing last week follows an “America First” Executive Order last month that indicated the new Administration planned to fight discrimination against U.S. companies like the Digital Services Taxes enacted by trading partners like the UK, France, and Canada.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association recently offered USTR examples of digital trade barriers as part of the agency’s annual Special 301 report on trade barriers and this month released a digital trade Priority List.
The following can be attributed to CCIA Vice President of Digital Trade Jonathan McHale:
“During his confirmation hearing, Greer repeatedly confirmed that he would fight to allow U.S. companies to expand to global markets and to enforce existing trade agreements while exploring opportunities to strike new digital trade commitments with key partners. Digital trade is an area where the U.S. is a leading exporter so the new policy direction is good news for the United States, and for the long-term competitiveness of the U.S. economy.”
“At a time when longtime trading partners are enacting new discriminatory regulations and taxes targeting U.S. companies, often in violation of trade commitments, it is encouraging to see USTR’s commitment to the mission Congress intended: standing up for U.S. economic interests abroad.”
