UK digital trade plan promises to eliminate red tape

The Department for International Trade (DIT) has published a plan for establishing a free and fair digital trade landscape to help UK companies do business.

Currently, businesses face barriers that hinder them from taking advantage of helpful digital technology, such as being forced to meet unreasonable requirements to localise data or disclose their intellectual property, like source code.

The DIT’s plan intends to make digital trade easier, allowing businesses to reach more customers by simplifying the process of selling online and helping them trade efficiently and cost-effectively.

Under the five-point plan, DIT will:

• Facilitate more open digital markets to ensure British consumers and businesses benefit from greater access to digital markets in other countries.
• Advocate free and trusted cross-border data flows that will make it simpler and cheaper for businesses who use data to trade internationally while maintaining the UK’s standards for personal data protection.
• Champion consumer and business safeguards through enhanced consumer and intellectual property protections.
• Promote the development and adoption of innovative digital trading systems such as digital customs processes, e-contracting and paperless trading, which can cut red tape and make trade easier, cheaper, faster, and more secure.
• Establish global cooperation on digital trade via free trade agreements with international partners and using the UK’s G7 presidency and seat at the WTO to push for countries to become more open to digital trade.

The DIT anticipates that consumers will feel the effects of this plan as well, enjoying greater access to international marketplaces offering wider variety and more affordable products and services. 

The digital sector contributed £150.6 billion to the UK economy in 2019, employing 4.6 per cent of the national workforce, Ms Trevelyan noted.

“All of us depend on digital trade, yet British businesses face digital barriers in countries who take a protectionist approach,” Ms Trevelyan said.

“I want the UK to break down these barriers and open up new, exciting opportunities for businesses and consumers so we can see improved productivity, jobs and growth.”