The Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade, chaired by Rep. Lee Terry (R-NE), has scheduled a hearing for Wednesday Sept. 17, at 1:30 p.m. in room 2322 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The hearing is entitled “Cross-Border Data Flows: Could Foreign Protectionism Hurt U.S. Jobs?"
In today’s global and increasingly digital economy, cross-border data flows support businesses in every sector from traditional technology companies to manufacturers, agribusinesses, healthcare, energy, financial services, insurers, retailers, and advertisers. The transfer of data across international borders allows for the free flow of information, goods, and services-benefiting consumers around the world and creating jobs. But if the information can’t flow, neither can the business.
The U.S. is in the midst of trade negotiations that will set the baseline for international data transfer policy. As Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP), Trade in Services Agreement (TISA), and Safe Harbor Framework negotiations progress, it is critical to understand the importance of cross-border data flows for economic growth and jobs. It is just as important to understand the negative effects of some potentially protectionist data policies, whether under the pretext of privacy concerns or hopes of supporting local businesses. The subcommittee will hear next week from experts on the frontlines of these issues about the potential impact on U.S. companies, both big and small, and the jobs they support.as they are posted.
