WTO Guest Panel Data Governance and International Trade

National and transnational approaches to governing data and data driven

sectors can build trust and facilitate growth and innovation. At the same time,

these approaches may challenge trade principles. The panelists will examine

the relationship between digital trade and the governance of various types of

data, as well as how trade principles hinder or facilitate interoperability among

data governance approaches. In particular, panelists will consider those issues:

• Does trade in data differ from trade in (other) goods or services governed by

trade agreements?

• How might open trade principles make it harder (or easier) for nations to

develop a trustworthy environment for the development of a data driven

economy?

• How might domestic regulation or the absence of domestic regulations to

govern data make it harder (or easier) for nations to develop a trustworthy

environment for the development of a data driven economy?

• Can principles such as transparency, recognition, value of international

standards or (legitimate) justifications facilitate greater rule-based crossborder data flows?