Shaping the Digital Future: Tech Policy, Priorities, and Leadership during South Korea’s APEC Host Year

Ambassador Robert Holleyman served as Deputy United States Trade Representative from 2014-2017. In that role, he was responsible for U.S. trade and investment relations in Asia, including APEC, China, and India. He is a member of the Board of Advisors at NBR.

Tami Overby is a Senior Advisor in the East Asia & Pacific practice of Dentons Global Advisors-Albright Stonebridge Group. She is also a member of the Board of Advisors at NBR.

Michael Wills is President of NBR.

Timestamps

[02:04] U.S.-ROK technology cooperation has been a key part of the relationship between the two countries. South Korea is planning to focus heavily on tech and digital trade issues as part of their hosting of the APEC meetings in August. What are the big priorities for bilateral cooperation in the tech space?

[06:25] How close is the alignment between U.S. and South Korean thinking on digital trade and e-commerce issues?

[07:38] How important is it to make significant progress to set the agenda for next year and beyond, given that China will host APEC in 2026?

[12:29] If APEC is just a way to socialize ideas, are there opportunities to move beyond talking about harmonization? What are the steps to begin shaping regulatory frameworks for cross-border data flows in ways that allow companies to conduct business and exploit opportunities from a market perspective while safeguarding data privacy, security, and consumer concerns?

[17:15] To what extent are there e-commerce and digital data provisions within the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) framework? Given the entry of the United Kingdom into the CPTPP framework, are there possibilities to advance harmonization of digital regulation and data flow policies that would begin to influence the debate in Europe in the way it may influence the debate in the Asia-Pacific?

[21:35] To what extent are these frameworks allowing the private sector to have a voice in shaping the regulatory system in ways that both allow for governments to protect the rights of consumers and set standards while allowing these companies to continue technological innovation and development?

[26:27] What are the big opportunities that the United States and South Korea can seize over the next few months to advance positive movement on digital competition issues? What are the risks policymakers and business leaders must keep in mind?