The rise of the Chinese digital economy has spurred a flurry of excitement from investors and policymakers alike. The Chinese are already leading the way in many key technologies, including e-commerce and mobile payments, and the US should not seek to imitate their success. Instead, US leadership should mobilize sustainable investments and find technology solutions that make adoption cheaper and more neutral. And the US should spearhead the creation of a multilateral digital development bank, which would add credibility to the commitments made by the Biden administration.
The US should increase its financial and technical assistance to low-income and developing countries. It should also strengthen the global digital infrastructure and participate more fully in international standards-setting bodies. But there are other ways to counteract China’s efforts. For example, the US could increase its assistance to middle-income countries to develop the capabilities and infrastructure that enable them to grow. In addition, the EU should make a strong commitment to supporting digital connectivity in developing nations.
The United States should lead the creation of a multilateral digital development bank, which would help states modernize their networks without incurring huge costs. This initiative would add to the commitments made by G7 countries in the Build the best world initiative. In addition, the Biden administration should promote efforts to reduce the costs of equipment and software. Such bipartisan efforts could compete with China’s low-cost kit.
In addition to these efforts, the United States should also consider the broader issues of data protection, privacy, and regulation of network services. These issues are common to all economies, and the Chinese Communist Party is unlikely to cooperate in global rules. However, the United States should lead the way by providing an open participation path to digital modernization, which could offset the local costs associated with the rise of the Chinese digital economy.
The United States can do more to support middle-income countries and developing countries in ensuring that they are free to use the latest technologies. It can also increase its technical and financial assistance to developing countries. These efforts should be coordinated to facilitate cross-border data sharing and protect data sovereignty. And it can participate more actively in international standards-setting bodies, including the Internet governance board. These actions will be critical for the future of the digital economy.
There are several options for addressing the growing risks in the digital economy. The first is to increase financial and technical assistance to developing countries and developing nations. The next step in this process would be to develop policies that would ensure equal access to information and services. The goal of this project is to increase cooperation in the technology sector. Achieving this goal will require the participation of governments, the private sector, and other international organizations.
The ICTS raises wider issues of data privacy and security. In the absence of a coordinated approach, countries tend to diverge in their approaches to these issues. Such asymmetrical situation would make it more difficult for companies to share data across borders. Furthermore, insufficient cooperation could discourage domestic firms from investing in cloud solutions and services. It would also make it difficult for these countries to participate in the global digital economy.
The second option is to improve ICT infrastructure. Lack of access to basic resources is a key concern. In addition, the lack of adequate infrastructure makes it impossible for many businesses to compete and thrive. Securing the global digital economy beyond the China challenges will be a top priority for the US and other countries. A strong ICT infrastructure is the foundation of the new world order. Further, it will help build strong economies in less affluent countries.
Securing the global digital economy beyond the China threat requires strong US leadership. Achieving these goals requires the US to go beyond its China challenge and develop multilateral partnerships. Taking a global approach is necessary to ensure that countries have equal access to the benefits of technology. As a result, the US must be a leader in the digital economy. Its efforts should not only focus on confronting the Chinese government, but also on enhancing international relations.