As the Commissioner for Trade, Dombrovskis emphasized the sheer gravity of the data economy, revealing that it accounted for 2.6% of the EU’s GDP in 2019, with projections poised to nearly triple by 2025. He stressed the paramount role of the EU-Japan data agreement in securing the free flow of data with unshakable trust and in shaping global rules governing data exchange.
Japan: EU’s Strategic Indo-Pacific Ally
The European Commission underlined Japan’s pivotal role as one of its strategic allies in the Indo-Pacific region, ranking as its second-largest trading partner in Asia. The staggering numbers tell the story, with European businesses exporting nearly €70 billion ($74 billion) in goods and €24 billion in services to Japan annually.
Seamless Data Handling and Future-Proofing
The data agreement carries the promise of liberating businesses from cumbersome data storage and administrative red tape, thus lowering operational costs. The EU’s executive arm has made it clear that, in an age where data reigns supreme, modernizing the rules for digital trade is a top priority to harness the burgeoning data-driven economies of both the EU and Japan.
EU and Japan data agreement : A Global Push for Predictability
The European Union has been actively brokering data agreements worldwide, cementing its commitment to fostering cross-border data flow and digital trade. These strategic alliances aim to create a stable and predictable environment for digital trade, all while adhering to the stringent data protection regulations, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
New Horizons: South Korea and Singapore on the Horizon
As the EU-Japan data pact sets the stage for a brave new world of digital opportunities, similar negotiations are anticipated with other Asian giants, South Korea and Singapore, further boosting global data cooperation.
The EU-U.S. Data Privacy Framework
A riveting subplot unfolds in July when the European Commission unveiled a groundbreaking framework for transferring personal data from the EU to the United States. This landmark move was underpinned by commitments from the Biden administration regarding government surveillance and consumer redress. However, a tension-filled narrative emerges as the European Parliament, national data protection authorities, and consumer rights advocates continue to debate the adequacy of these safeguards, arguing for additional layers of protection for the data of EU citizens.
EU-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement
In a scintillating turn of events, the European Commission inked an “ambitious” free trade pact with New Zealand, its third-largest trade partner. This promises to slash an estimated €140 million in annual duties for member country companies within the first year of the deal, underscoring the EU’s commitment to fostering trade across the globe.
