Politico, January 26, 2021

By Steven Overly

Trade groups representing a broad swath of industries are calling on the WTO’s member countries to prohibit laws that restrict the flow of data across borders.

They also want to see countries adopt laws that encourage transparency and interoperability while also protecting users’ personal information. The International Chamber of Commerce and BSA | The Software Alliance spearheaded the new letter, and gathered signatures from associations across six continents, representing film, manufacturing, tech, automobiles and more.

“In today’s remote environment, our jobs, health, education, and well-being depend on digital connectivity and data flows like never before,” BSA President and CEO Victoria Espinel said in a statement. “We urge governments to negotiate WTO commitments that support the seamless and secure cross-border movement of information.”

The WTO’s negotiations over e-commerce rules began in earnest in 2018. The 80-plus member nations are expected to reveal “concrete results” at the next ministerial meeting, which is scheduled for June but could be delayed until December due to coronavirus.

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