US eyes digital trade deal with South-east Asia

Significance

Washington is highly receptive to these calls. Regardless of who wins the US presidential election next week, a digital trade agreement with South-east Asia will be a strong candidate for the next administration’s trade agenda.

Impacts

• Washington will seek ASEAN endorsement of US principles on digital governance but avoid a trade pact with ASEAN itself.
• A digital trade pact would allow Washington to influence South-east Asian tax rules for US ‘big tech’.
• Global technological decoupling would increase if South-east Asian countries embrace US technology standards.