Digital Inflection Point: The Withdrawal of U.S Support for Data Norms and the Future of Digital Trade

This study examines the global implications of the United States’ withdrawal of support for digital trade norms, with a focus on developments since 2023. The research analyzes how this policy shift has affected the structure of international digital trade regulations and explores its impact on the evolving roles of key economies, particularly the United States and China. By comparing regional trade agreements (RTAs) and the dynamics of multilateral platforms such as the WTO Joint Statement Initiative (JSI), the study highlights the emerging fragmentation in digital trade governance. The absence of U.S.-led provisions in the final 2024 WTO e-commerce text reflects the challenges of multilateral digital rulemaking. The paper concludes by offering policy recommendations for reimagining international cooperation frameworks and identifying strategic pathways for third countries, including Korea, to enhance regulatory adaptability, digital competitiveness, and active participation in shaping future digital trade norms. These recommendations aim to support a fair, stable, and inclusive digital economic order amid shifting geopolitical and technological landscapes.