Young, Colleagues Introduce Bill to Strengthen American Leadership in Digital Trade

WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Ind.) led U.S. Senators Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Michael Bennet (D-Co.) in introducing theDigital Trade Promotion Act, legislation to strengthen America’s global leadership in digital trade.
From the buying and selling of goods in online marketplaces to the digital services that enable smart manufacturing and modern agricultural practices, digital trade has quickly become a driving force in our everyday economy. While the United States has historically led the development of rules and standards for digital trade, other countries, including foreign adversaries and even some allies, are advancing their own digital trade policies that would undermine American businesses and workers.
TheDigital Trade Promotion Actwould empower the president to negotiate and enforce digital trade agreements with trusted partners and allies, thereby bolstering opportunities for businesses and workers, strengthening our economic security, and ensuring that American values power the digital world.
“China and other strategic competitors are pushing digital regimes that create new barriers and tilt the field against U.S. companies and workers. To ensure American workers, businesses, and consumers can succeed in the digital age, we must cement U.S. leadership in the global digital economy,”said Senator Young.“Negotiating more digital trade agreements with partners and allies will strengthen our economic security, spur more opportunities for Hoosiers, and secure America’s competitive edge.”
“From farmers in Sussex to fintech startups in New Castle County, digital tools help every entrepreneur compete around the world. I’m proud to introduce the bipartisan Digital Trade Promotion Act to help businesses big and small compete on a level playing field and ensure the global rules of the road are rooted in American values of openness, transparency, and fairness,”said Senator Coons.
“Advancing the digital trade of goods and services positively impacts everyone across our state – from farmers and manufacturers to small businesses and consumers,”said Senator Moran.“This legislation allows for greater executive authority to promote trade deals involving digital products and services, reducing digital trade barriers while allowing Congress to exercise necessary oversight of any agreement in order to make certain the American people are prioritized.”
“The United States’ digital sector is the envy of the world, but we cannot allow China to write the rules of the road for the next generation of emerging technology,”said Senator Bennet.“This legislation will ensure the U.S. can work closely with our allies and partners to establish a strong international framework for innovation and consumer protection in the digital age.”
TheDigital Trade Promotion Actis endorsed by the Computer and Communications Industry Association.
“The Digital Trade Promotion Act provides the institutional mechanisms needed to reassert U.S. digital leadership in ways that prioritize American innovation. It ensures a modernized statutory framework for U.S. leadership in digital trade by emphasizing Administrative flexibility to effectively negotiate fair trade, while preserving Congress’ meaningful control over binding trade commitments,”said CCIA Vice President for Federal Affairs Brian McMillan.
More specifically, theDigital Trade Promotion Actwould:
Legislative text can be foundhere. A one-pager on the bill can be foundhere.