Why Digital Trade Rules Are Needed in the Indo-Pacific?
Miura Hideyuki [Assistant Professor, Kyorin University]
► The growing awareness of data’s importance for economic growth has prompted many countries, especially developed ones, to establish a free, open, and rules-based environment for digital trade. In contrast, authoritarian states, particularly China, have been pursuing digital protectionist measures for economic and national security reasons.
► While China appears to be actively signaling its intention to participate in a digital trade agreement, it may in fact be an approach designed to better institutionalize its own digital protectionist stance.
► Japan, along with Australia, Singapore, and other like-minded countries, has consistently opposed the digital protectionist measures by China and others, and should counter China's initiative in building rules for digital trade in the Indo-Pacific. While the IPEF may find it difficult to increase its disciplinarity, the CPTPP has the potential. Therefore, Japan needs to continue to persuade the US to return to the CPTPP.
