The following statement from Internet Works is in response to the U.S. Trade Representative’s decision to drop digital trade demands in the ongoing e-commerce negotiations at the World Trade Organization:
“Internet Works and its member companies and organizations are concerned and disappointed by the U.S. Trade Representative’s recent decision to withdraw support for essential digital trade provisions in the ongoing e-commerce negotiations at the World Trade Organization. As a coalition of small and mid-sized internet technology platforms and organizations, Internet Works members rely on the U.S. Trade Representative to advocate and protect U.S. technology platforms’ interests and ability for safe digital commerce with our closest trade partners.
“This decision undermines all U.S. internet platforms’ ability to reach cross-border consumers with digital services and provide for the free flow of data, and it places the U.S. digital economy at a disadvantage – forfeiting American leadership and competitiveness on the world stage.
“We implore the Biden administration and the U.S. Trade Representative to reverse this decision and consider the negative implications of this decision for the small and mid-sized American tech platforms competing for commerce with other larger American companies and those in both allied and adversarial countries alike.”