Global Digital

C&M International President and CEO, Ambassador Robert Holleyman, recently authored an article for the National Bureau of Asian Research on issues around trade, data governance, and cross-border data flows in the Asia-Pacific.


Data is integral to modern domestic and international commerce. Whether for added efficiency, by connecting remote workers, suppliers, and customers, or for entertainment, e-commerce, banking, and other services, data has become an essential element of how we live and conduct business. Nations in the Asia-Pacific have increasingly adopted rules for data governance and cross-border data flows as elements and chapters of their bilateral and regional trade agreements. This commentary examines the main issues that these rules have sought to address in the context of several high-profile trade agreements.


The article discusses data protection obligations in recent free trade agreements, including CPTPP and USMCA, new models for digital economy agreements in Asia, such as the Singapore-Chile-New Zealand Digital Economy Partnership Agreement, and China’s approach to data provisions and trade agreements.

Read the full article here.

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