Challenges in governing global digital trade barriers and China’s position

Abstract Digital trade has emerged as a new driver of global economic growth. However, divergent concerns over digital security and trade development have led countries and regions to adopt various restrictive measures, giving rise to distinct types of digital trade barriers involving the enabling environment for digital trade, technical restrictions, data localization requirements, and intellectual property-related measures. These barriers exert notable influence on China’s digital trade 202 development. Facing the complex challenges of global digital trade governance, China should advance a position that balances security with development and is rooted in domestic practice. Key strategies include fostering a multilateral framework for data governance, strengthening privacy protection and localization mechanisms, promoting fair and equitable digital taxation rules, and enhancing the national data governance system through a multi-level strategic approach.