Are Tech Giants Pushing Trade Talks To Get Their Way?

Does the term Silk Road/Route ring a bell?

Well, it refers to a 4000+ mile economic and cultural trade route that stretched from China to Europe and lasted from 114 BCE to mid-15th century. #HistoryLesson

The point of this blast from the past is that trade has always been an integral part of human civilization. Even today, countries enter talks to outline unbiased policies to ensure smooth trade practices.

Unfortunately, recent US Indo-Pacific trade talks have led to protesters claiming that Big Tech involved in the drafting of the new Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) are trying to shape it to suit themselves.

This included an invitation-only reception co-hosted by Google and IBM during the November talks in Australia.

Activists are concerned that the involvement of corporations in the drafting of the trade deal will enable them back-doors to cut domestic regulation and enforcement of antitrust laws – leading to a protest campaign.

Maria Langholz, Communications Director of Demand Progress, a left-leaning advocacy group, said, “Just like in past international trade agreements, Big Tech companies are swooping in to make sure they get carve outs.” She believes the corporations want to “continue to enrich themselves through their anticompetitive behavior.”

Demand Progress even parked a truck outside a trade meeting in Detroit with messages appealing to Katherine Tai (US Trade Representative) and Gina Raimondo (US Secretary of Commerce).
 
However, Big Tech is denying their involvement is based of selfish reasons.

Speaking on the same, Google spokesperson José Castañeda said, “We have very publicly advocated for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework to include strong digital trade provisions that ensure digital technologies are widely accessible, and that support privacy, security, and trust in cross-border data flows.”

Although, IBM didn’t respond to a request for comment.
 
In fact, Big Tech companies believe that the digital rules will benefit and protect industries and consumers. Furthermore, Jonathan McHale, Vice President of Digital Trade for the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA) said, “This not about helping the largest firms or benefiting technology companies, but rather ensuring a regulatory environment among key trading partners that empowers a wide variety of businesses as most rely on digital services and tools to compete globally.”
 
According to their website, the CCIA is a “not-for-profit membership organization for a wide range of companies in the computer, internet, information technology, and telecommunications industries, represented by their senior executives” and includes Amazon, Apple, Google, Meta and other big tech members.

What do you think of the involvement of Big Tech in the shaping of trade rules? Let us know in the comments below!