As part of a newly-announced trade deal between the U.S. and Indonesia, the White House stressed the agreement would "unlock major breakthroughs for America’s... digital sectors."
The “U.S.-Indonesia Agreement on Reciprocal Trade” includes “certainty regarding the ability to move personal data out of” Indonesia “to the United States through recognition of the United States as a country or jurisdiction that provides adequate data protection under Indonesia’s law.”
Indonesia also “committed to eliminate existing HTS tariff lines on “intangible products” and suspend related requirements on import declarations; support a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions at the World Trade Organization (WTO) immediately and without conditions; and take effective actions to implement the Joint Initiative on Services Domestic Regulation, including submitting its revised Specific Commitments for certification by the WTO.
The White House concluded that, “American companies have sought these reforms for years.”
One of the first trade agreements to include such digital trade language was the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA), signed during President Trump’s first Administration.
The Insights Association advocates for free digital trade and reduced barriers to data flows between countries.
About the Author
Based in Washington, DC, Howard is the Insights Association's lobbyist for the marketing research and data analytics industry, focusing primarily on consumer privacy and data security, the Telephone Consumer Protection Act (TCPA), tort reform, and the funding and integrity of the decennial Census and the American Community Survey (ACS).
Howard has more than two decades of public policy experience. Before the Insights Association, he worked in Congress as senior legislative staffer for then-Representatives Christopher Cox (CA-48) and Cliff Stearns (FL-06). He also served more than four years with a science policy think tank, working to improve the understanding of scientific and social research and methodology among journalists and policymakers.
Howard is also co-director of The Census Project, a 900+ member coalition in support of a fair and accurate Census and ACS.
He has also served previously on the Board of Directors for the National Institute for Lobbying and Ethics and and the Association of Government Relations Professionals.
Howard has an MA International Relations from the University of Essex in England and a BA Honors Political Studies from Trent University in Canada, and has obtained the Certified Association Executive (CAE), Professional Lobbying Certificate (PLC) and the Public Policy Certificate (PPC).
When not running advocacy for the Insights Association, Howard enjoys hockey, NFL football, sci-fi and horror movies, playing with his dog, and spending time with family and friends.