AUSTRALIA’S INTERNATIONAL CYBER ENGAGEMENT STRATEGY Shape an enabling environment for digital trade Australia is committed to actively shaping global rule-making on digital trade. Australia will advocate for global rules that support digitisation of trade-related practices, build trust and confidence in the online environment, and reduce barriers to digital trade. Global trade rules should support existing global and regional norms, principles and guidelines. This includes those developed through the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the G20, APEC, and international standards-setting bodies such as the International Organisation for Standardisation. Australia engages in these multilateral forums to cooperate on practical steps that promote digital trade, sharing best practice, and addressing emerging policy issues. ENABLE GREATER ACCESS TO GLOBAL MARKETS AND A MORE CERTAIN REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT In addition to influencing trade rules through key international forums, Australia has included ‘electronic commerce’ chapters in 10 of its 11 concluded free trade agreements. Australia is currently pursuing commitments on digital trade in our bilateral negotiations with Indonesia, Hong Kong and Peru, and with countries participating in the negotiations for a Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Trade in Services Agreement. International rules that facilitate the free flow of information and data across borders are also important for promoting digital trade. Data flows now have generated a greater impact on global gross domestic product growth than the global trade in goods. As customs duties on electronic transmissions may restrict the growth of online trade, Australia is committed to a permanent moratorium on customs duties on electronic transmissions. DIGITAL TRADE IN THE WORLD TRADE ORGANIZATION The World Trade Organization (WTO) is the key multilateral organisation governing international trade. Through its membership, Australia pursues commitments that improve market access for businesses and increase consumer choice, including in digital trade. Australia supports crucial WTO agreements on goods, services and intellectual property, including the Agreement on Trade Facilitation (TFA). Australia also supports the adoption of agreements that encourage WTO members to take on further digital trade and trade facilitation commitments. These include the WTO Information Technology Agreement (ITA) and the Telecommunications Reference Paper. 14