WASHINGTON – October 29, 2020 – The Global Data 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. The seamless flow of data across borders powers innovation and job growth in all sectors – and this growth is especially important as the global economy struggles to recover from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Companies rely on cross-border data flows to create jobs and make local industries more competitive. In fact, research shows that 75 percent of the value of data transfers goes to traditional industries like agriculture, logistics, and manufacturing,” said Joseph Whitlock, Director, Policy at BSA | The Software Alliance. “A strong commitment to forward-looking cross-border data transfer policies will help offset the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and set the stage for future economic growth.”

The Global Data Alliance looks forward to working with governments around the globe to safeguard the ability to responsibly transfer data across borders. Find the Global Data Alliance’s full comments on the NTE here: https://www.globaldataalliance.org/downloads/10292020GDA2020NTESubmission.pdf

About the Global Data Alliance

The Global Data Alliance (globaldataalliance.org) is a cross-industry coalition of companies that are committed to high standards of data responsibility and that rely on the ability to transfer data around the world to innovate and create jobs. The Alliance supports policies that help instill trust in the digital economy while safeguarding the ability to transfer data across borders and refraining from imposing data localization requirements that restrict trade.

Alliance members include BSA members and American Express, Amgen, AT&T, Citi, ITB360, LEGO, Mastercard, Medtronic, Panasonic, Pfizer, Roche, United Airlines, Verizon, VISA, and WD-40 Company. These companies are headquartered across the globe and are active in the advanced manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, electronics, energy, financial services, health, supply chain, and telecommunications sectors, among others. BSA | The Software Alliance administers the Global Data Alliance.