Washington –The U.S. Trade Representative has released its 2025 National Trade Estimates Report, an annual report detailing foreign trade barriers faced by U.S. exporters. The National Trade Estimates Report this year affirmed that USTR will prioritize the monitoring of digital trade barriers and consider action if they pose egregious harms to U.S. technology firms. The inclusion of barriers to U.S. digital exports highlights the importance of ensuring a fair and open global markets that enhance U.S. competitiveness and cross-border trade.
This year’s NTE report included barriers to U.S. digital exports like data localization, asymmetric platform regulations, link taxes, and discriminatory taxes or regulations aimed narrowly at U.S. companies.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association had submitted comments last fall to USTR in response to its annual request for organizations to outline trade barriers affecting U.S. companies seeking to expand into overseas markets. CCIA also recently sent the new Administration its priority list of trade barriers and submitted comments to USTR expanding on these priorities.
The following quote can be attributed to Jonathan McHale, CCIA Vice President of Digital Trade:
“CCIA welcomes USTR’s comprehensive overview of key barriers facing U.S. firms in foreign markets, reinforcing the critical role enforcement plays in ensuring fair market access. The reinstatement of several barriers to U.S. digital exports to this report was particularly noteworthy and helpful. This annual report will serve as a blueprint for both enforcement priorities and identifying negotiating objectives for future agreements to promote the cross-border flow of digital products and services. We look forward to working closely with USTR to advance market access as digital trade is the fastest growing area of trade in services for the United States.”
