WASHINGTON – October 31, 2019 – BSA | The Software Alliance highlighted priorities for digital trade and cross-border data flows in comments submitted to the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) for the National Trade Estimate (NTE) Report. As reflected in the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the US-Japan Digital Trade Agreement, and the WTO Joint Statement Initiative negotiations, there is real and positive momentum on digital trade policymaking around the world.

At the same time, BSA sees worrisome trends in other countries, including China, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam, which have imposed or threatened to impose additional restrictions on cross-border data transfers, data localization mandates, and new tariffs on software and cloud computing solutions accessed via the Internet. These types of self-defeating measures undermine local industries, reduce export competitiveness, and threaten local jobs in the very countries that impose them. Why? In part because these measures reduce cross-border access to cutting-edge software solutions that enhance productivity and create new economic opportunities.

Innovative and open economies continue to benefit significantly from cross-border access to productivity-enhancing software and cloud computing tools. In the US, for example, the software sector continues to outpace the overall economy, with nearly one in 10 US jobs and $1.6 trillion of total US value added GDP resulting from software. Businesses with cross-border access to software are best positioned to compete and thrive in today’s 21st century economy. BSA urges the United States and like-minded countries to continue their work to advance pro-growth digital trade policies around the world.