WASHINGTON – Today, global tech trade association ITI encouraged the Biden Administration to prioritize digital commitments that foster stronger trade, investment, innovation, and diplomatic relationships as it develops the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). In comments to the U.S. Commerce Department and Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR), ITI encourages the administration to ensure the IPEF includes binding and enforceable commitments that promote open, rules-based, and interoperable governance in digital trade. ITI also underscores that expanded market access opportunities would yield broad-based benefits for U.S. firms doing business in the Indo-Pacific, as well as provide incentive for regional partners to make ambitious policy commitments in the IPEF.

“We applaud the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to strengthening U.S. engagement in the region, including through development of an Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF),” ITI wrote in the comments. “Nowhere has digital transformation been more rapid than in the Indo-Pacific region; the COVID-19 pandemic has spurred the digitalization of economies and opened new opportunities to build trust in the digital space. At the same time, both democratic and authoritarian governments around the world are advancing policies that restrict the movement of information, goods, and services. These policies directly detract from the ability of firms to foster growth in key areas of the United States’ comparative advantage and are often based on the flawed premise that data restrictions and digital protectionism are necessary to achieve policy objectives. Bold, impactful engagement on these issues directly supports the administration’s aims to prioritize workers, inclusive access to vital goods and services, international development, and a free and open internet.”

In comments to the U.S. Commerce Department, ITI proposes that the U.S. government establish a Trusted Digital Partnership Program that would consist of: (1) mutual pledges to establish and maintain trusted digital policies; and (2) deployment of capacity building and technical assistance to achieve its policy commitments and facilitate transnational public-private economic partnerships. Read the full submission to the Commerce Department here.

In comments to the USTR, ITI recommends U.S. negotiators develop and advance new digital trade rules aimed at ensuring the benefits from digital trade are as equitable and impactful as possible. ITI also encourages USTR to expand the acceptance of state-of-the-art, rules-based commitments that are global and interoperable, eliminate barriers to trade, facilitate the open flow of data, and elevate regulatory compatibility as a matter of strategic importance with key partners in the region. Read the full submission to USTR here.

ITI has recently called on the U.S. government to take action on digital trade policy with Indo-Pacific partners in a blog in January and a letter to USTR Katherine Tai last year.

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