USTR's ICT Services and Digital Trade section covers trade policy issues that affect U.S. interests related to digital trade, telecommunications services, and computer services.
The Internet and other digital technologies play a crucial role in strengthening and supporting firms in every sector of the U.S. economy. As a global leader, the United States pursues digital trade and telecommunications disciplines that will continue to propel the U.S. economy, promote innovation, and support the success of U.S firms across the world.
Through our trade agreements, USTR focuses on achieving strong, binding rules on digital trade. The United States-Japan Digital Trade Agreement and the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement are the most comprehensive and high-standard trade agreements addressing digital trade barriers ever negotiated. These agreements will help drive economic prosperity, promote fairer and more balanced trade, and help ensure that shared rules support businesses in key sectors.
USTR also advances U.S. digital trade priorities in international fora such as the World Trade Organization (WTO) and Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).
- In the WTO, the United States and 84 other WTO Members are participating in the Joint Statement Initiative on E-Commerce, where we are committed to pursuing a high-standard outcome that will meaningfully reduce digital trade barriers around the world. In December 2019, the United States joined a consensus in the WTO General Council to continue the longstanding moratorium on duties on electronic transmissions and the Work Program on Electronic Commerce. The United States continues to work to develop support for making this moratorium permanent and binding under the WTO.
- In APEC, we advance U.S. objectives through initiatives, supported by a majority of APEC economies, on high-standard principles to facilitate digital trade and a permanent moratorium on customs duties.
