The U.S. Pushes for Global Trade Rules for the AI Era, Focusing on Data Flow and Source Code Protection

Huo Xing Finance reports that on July 22, according to the WSJ, beyond tariff policies, the Trump administration in the United States is advancing a longer-term strategic initiative to establish a new generation of global trade rules centered on cross-border data flows, cloud computing, software, and artificial intelligence through agreements with major trading partners. The report notes that globally, 43 jurisdictions have implemented 146 digital trade barriers, including digital services taxes, data localization requirements, restrictions on cross-border data flows, and mandates requiring companies to surrender source code, technical data, and business information. The U.S. believes these rules are undermining the competitiveness of its technology companies and digital economy. Recent agreements reached by the U.S. with Indonesia, Cambodia, Malaysia, and others have incorporated provisions prohibiting forced technology transfer, safeguarding free cross-border data flows, banning government demands for source code submission, and maintaining tariff-free treatment for electronic transmissions—seen as an initial framework for digital trade rules in the AI era. Analysts believe that future international competition over data governance, AI regulation, and digital trade standards will become a critical front in global economic rivalry.