TPP digital trade

Digital Trade and E-Commerce Policies in Northeast Asia

Overall, the review of policy at the domestic level shows that governments have not yet figured out the best approach for creating supportive and enabling frameworks for digital trade and e-commerce.  To date, much of the official response has been fragmented between ministries and agencies, with little coordination. Digital trade is unlike many other sectors—it cuts across an increasingly wide swath of the economy and regulatory policies in one area often has knock-on or unintended consequences in other areas. It is also rapidly evolving, which is making it difficult for government officials to address.  If governments are too far out in front, too prescriptive or too forward leaning, they risk cutting off new sources of innovation and growth.  They may unintentionally box in specific technologies or platforms. Yet it can be very difficult to think about regulating for outcomes, since it requires bureaucrats to have a visionary sense of the future that few individuals are likely to have.  Creating digital economy policies at the domestic level, in any case, is probably not the best or most effective way to create sensible regulations.  The digital economy does not recognize national boundaries.  It does not logically stop at a customs border. Hence, the more efficient and effective way to manage digital policies is at the regional or international level.