It is predicted that the number of WTO rules to promote global trade will be reshaped from 8% to 2% every year, and the number of technology led trade will increase from 1% to 2% in 2016.
As the highest standard free trade agreement in the world so far, CPTPP focuses more on improving the level of digital trade rules. Its digital trade rule framework not only continues the traditional e-commerce issues such as electronic transmission tariff exemption, personal information protection and online consumer protection, but also creatively introduces more controversial issues such as cross-border data flow, localization of computing facilities and source code protection, There is also room for maneuver for a number of clauses, such as setting exception clauses.
DEPA focuses on the facilitation of e-commerce, the liberalization of data transfer and the security of personal information, and stipulates to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence, financial technology and other fields.
China attaches great importance to the development of digital economy, but on the whole, China’s digital trade industry has not formed a standardized system. There are some problems, such as incomplete laws and regulations, insufficient participation of leading enterprises, imperfect infrastructure, inconsistent statistical methods, and innovative regulatory models. In addition, the security problems brought by digital trade can not be ignored.
Last year, China applied to join the comprehensive and progressive trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (CPTPP) and the digital economy partnership agreement (DEPA), which reflected China’s willingness and determination to continue to deepen reform and expand opening-up. The significance is like the “second accession to the WTO”. At present, the WTO is facing high calls for reform. One of its important functions in Global trade is to solve trade disputes. However, due to the obstruction of some countries, it cannot play its normal role and is gradually marginalized. Therefore, when applying to join the CPTPP, we should pay close attention to the dispute settlement mechanism, integrate with the highest international level, and let this mechanism play its due role in the process of economic globalization.
The CPTPP dispute settlement mechanism attaches great importance to cooperation and consultation, which coincides with China’s original intention to solve international disputes through diplomatic coordination. Therefore, we can further highlight the priority of consultation, good offices, mediation and mediation over the expert group procedure, and encourage the use of consultation and reconciliation to resolve disputes between the two sides in the expert group and implementation procedure.
Post time: Mar-28-2022