1、 https:/crsreports.congress.gov Updated December 3, 2020Digital TradeBackground The rapid growth of digital technologies in recent years has facilitated economic activity and created new opportunities for U.S. consumers and businesses. For example, consumers today access e-commerce, social media, te
2、lemedicine, and other offerings not imagined 30 years ago. Firms of all sizes and in every industry use digital services and technologies to drive internal efficiencies and better compete globally. For example, businesses use advanced technology to reach new markets, track global supply chains, anal
3、yze big data, and create new products and services. At the same time, new technologies raise new trade policy issues, including the lack of common disciplines to help govern such trade, the emergence of diverging standards and new trade barriers, and broader public policy questions about online info
4、rmation, all issues of active congressional interest. Data and data flows form a pillar of innovation and economic growth. Trade in manufactured goods and agricultural products often depends on cross-border data flows. For example, manufacturers may communicate with global customers and suppliers vi
