Digital Trade and National Security Policy Forum

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ALI members only event
Attendees: 

  • Congresswoman Suzan DelBene

  • Congressman Jim Himes

  • Congresswoman Chrissy Houlahan

  • Congressman Brad Schneider

ALI convened Members of Congress together with senior thought leaders from civil society, think tanks and business to discuss digital trade and national security policy. The conversation was kicked off by Jeremy Bash, Former Chief of Staff at the Pentagon and CIA and MSNBC commentator, followed by Victoria Espinel, President of the Software Alliance, and Josh Meltzer, Director of Brookings Institution’s Digital Economy Project.

Specific policy proposals and perspectives considered by the group included:  

  1. Digital Marshall Plan:  The U.S. needs to provide financing for developing countries that want to acquire digital infrastructure from the U.S. and other Western countries. A variety of options were discussed:

  • A dedicated fund, perhaps through USAID.

  • Low interest loans in support of purchases of U.S. ICT, perhaps through the DFC.

  • A finance model similar to the one used for military technology, which also offers strategic support and co-development with key partners.

  • Tie financing to digital policy initiatives.

  • Expand the digital attaché program to support U.S. exports and services.

2. U.S. Regulatory Framework:

  • The U.S. needs a domestic digital policy agenda that it can advocate globally. Representative DelBene has introduced legislation for a U.S. privacy standard.

  • Civil rights, human rights, and digital rights should be reflected in digital rules advanced by the U.S.

  • The U.S. should also develop regulations for the app economy, in order to lead development of global standards.

3. Trade Agreements:

  • The U.S. should launch a high standard digital agreement with a coalition of willing countries outside the WTO. This will be in addition to the WTO E-Commerce Agreement, which will set base-line standards.

  • In the absence of American leadership, countries are moving to negotiate their own agreements (like the new digital agreement between New Zealand, Singapore and Chile) expediting the need for the U.S. to take the lead to negotiate a plurilateral high standard agreement.

4. China:

  • Concern is growing that Chinese companies, with heavy government support, are increasing market share and developing the rules for digital infrastructure and services. This is coming at the expense of American economic, national security interests and values.

  • These concerns include the increased fusion of China’s military and civil digital infrastructure and services exports.

  • China’s digital exports support authoritarian standards and values.