Digital trade: companies need clear rules and less divergence

6 June 2023 - "BusinessEurope views on Digital Trade" published today identifies key measures to facilitate international digital trade, promote the convergence of digital regulations and create a favourable environment for investments.

BusinessEurope Director General Markus J. Beyrer said: "Companies need clear EU and international rules on digital trade. Divergent regulatory frameworks are slowing down digital transformation and hampering companies’ competitiveness. 

Europe accounts for more than half of global exports of digitally delivered services. Our companies need ‘data flow with trust’ – free cross border data flow along with an adequate protection of personal data, intellectual property rights and trade secrets."

See more detailed policy suggestions:

• Filling the gaps in the multilateral framework by ensuring that regulations guarantee free cross border data flows, along with adequate protection of personal data, intellectual property rights, and trade secrets.
• Concluding ambitious digital agreements or chapters in trade agreements that prohibit forced data localisation and include provisions on the non-discrimination of services or goods provided by electronic means, the prohibition of forced transfer of technology, trade facilitation, consumer protection and appropriate instruments to ensure technical interoperability and common standards.
• Concluding negotiations on the WTO Joint Initiative on E-commerce and the extension of the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions.
• Assessing the impact of European legislation in the digital area on trade and investments, as well as on the competitiveness of European companies outside Europe.

Read the newly published paper here.