Digital Trade and Data Policy: Key Issues Facing Congress (CRS Report for Congress)
| Release Date |
Revised July 30, 2024 |
| Report Number |
IF12347 |
| Report Type |
In Focus |
| Authors |
Danielle M. Trachtenberg |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
| Older Revisions |
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Summary:
Digital trade includes trade in all goods and services for
which orders are placed digitally. E-commerce generally
refers to digitally ordered goods. Services that are digitally
ordered may also be delivered digitally (e.g., online
banking) or provided through a subscription (e.g., streaming
or cloud services). Cross-border data flows are essential to
the technologies used to digitally order and deliver goods
and services, and to many facets of the digital economy,
including digital platforms. Because of this, much debate on
digital trade has focused on data policy and technology.
Digital trade issues facing Congress include data privacy,
data localization, artificial intelligence (AI), and regulation
of the technology sector. Congress could also monitor
outcomes and impacts of U.S. negotiations involving digital
trade, and consider action to encourage or require the
executive branch to pursue certain objectives.
