Fragmentation in Global Digital Trade Rules: Challenges and China's Response
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62051/61n7ge90Keywords:
digital trade rules; rule fragmentation; China's countermeasures.Abstract
Global digital trade faces a regulatory vacuum due to the lag in WTO rules, leading to the emergence of three regional frameworks: the US advocates free data flow, the EU enforces strict privacy, and the Asia-Pacific uses modular rules. This fragmentation raises compliance costs, regulatory conflicts, and marginalizes developing economies. In response, China is building compliance support systems, piloting flexible rules in free trade zones, and promoting regional rule alignment via DEPA, moving from rule-taker to rule-shaper and contributing to a more inclusive global digital trade order.
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