WASHINGTON– July 25 2024 –On July 25, 2024, the European Union and Singapore concluded negotiations relating to the EU-Singapore Digital Trade Agreement (DTA). Announcement; Impact Analysis; Joint Statement; Text of 2023 EU-SG Digital Partnership.
The European Commission announcement states that this DTA – the first of its type concluded by the EU – reflects “the EU’s aspiration to be a global standard-setter for digital trade rules and cross-border data flows.”
The announcement also identifies the agreement as part of the “EU’s ambition to agree on up-to-date digital trade rules with our global partners, as reflected in digital trade chapters in recent FTAs with the UK, Chile and New Zealand, as well as in the cross-border data flows agreement concluded with Japan.”
The DTA is also expected to:
- Enhance research cooperation in cutting-edge technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and semiconductors;
- Promote cooperation in regulatory approaches such as in the field of AI and Electronic Identification (eID);
- Foster investments in resilient and sustainable digital infrastructures, including data centres and submarine telecommunications cables for connectivity between the EU and Southeast Asia;
- Ensure trusted cross border data flows in compliance with data protection rules and other public policy objectives;
- Promote information exchange and cooperation in the field of cybersecurity;
- Build alliances in international organisations and standardisation fora;
- Facilitate digital trade, including by working towards joint projects such as paperless trading, electronic invoicing, electronic payments, electronic transactions framework.
The Global Data Alliance welcomes today’s announcement and the stated commitment of the European Union and Singapore to promote cross-border access to knowledge and information, as well as secre and responsible cross-border data transfers.