The CPTPP and Digital Trade: Embracing E-Commerce Opportunities for SMEs in Canada and Japan
Published 20 December 2018
Abstract
One of the most innovative features of the CPTPP is its material on digital trade, especially its chapter on e-commerce which contains a number of provisions aimed at enhancing this vital sector of the economy by eliminating distortive trade barriers such as restrictions on data transfer and data localization requirements. Such provisions should be important to the CPTPP’s two largest parties: Canada and Japan, both of which are highly advanced economies seeking to enhance their digital trade capacity across the Pacific Rim. This paper explores the main features of the CPTPP concerning digital trade from the perspective of Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) in Canada and Japan. Such businesses have a poor track record of e-commerce uptake and may be disadvantaged relative to their larger competitors which enjoy dominance in the online marketplace. Whether or not the CPTPP will assist these businesses while striking the right balance between an open internet and safeguarding of issues such as privacy is a matter of some debate.
This paper will be part of the TDM Special Issue on "Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP)". More info here https://www.transnational-dispute-management.com/news.asp?key=1621