Lack of Global Rules

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Participants at the recent first ever cross-border e-commerce conference held in Beijing, China had a specific goal:  to discuss recent developments, challenges, and opportunities, as well as the enormous potential of digital trade.

Out of the discussions came three key factors that are currently limiting the positive potential of cross-border e-commerce.  They are as follows:

1. A lack of global rules
2. Customs solutions for the e-commerce age
3. Coordination is key

Read the complete Information Economy Report 2017: Digitization, Trade and Development, issued at a United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), which states 7% of business-to-consumer e-commerce in 2015 crossed national borders, amounting to a total value of around US $189 billion.

Today in Global Small Business: Didi Chuxing Ascends to the Global Stage

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What's affecting me, my clients, my colleagues and other global small business owners:

1. Should you protect your trademarks?  Attend trade shows? Go direct or indirect on global sales?  Find out by attending an upcoming N/C webinar on 3/8 and hosted by nonprofit WEGG.
2. If we view technology as an enabler of business growth, how do we make the most of it?  Say hello to NextTECHnow.
3. According to McKinsey, digital trade is taking over; see how you can get involved (access report here).
4. What's of concern on global e-commerce these days besides cybersecurity?
5. How to go from a global star to a normal life?
6. See how Chinese ride hailer Didi Chuxing is taking steps to ascend to the global stage.

The Internet is a Driver of Global Digital Trade

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Thomas O'Toole, for Bloomberg BNA, writes a thoughtful and important article, "Breaking Down Legal Barriers to Global Digital Trade."

First, a little background on O'Toole:

Thomas O'Toole joined BNA in 1988 and has been managing editor of Bloomberg BNA's Electronic Commerce & Law Report since its founding in 1996. He has a BA in Economics and English Literature from the University of Michigan and a JD from Wayne State University Law School. 

According to O'Toole's article, which references the U.S. International Trade Commission's 2014 report, U.S. businesses sold $935.2 billion in goods and services online in 2012, of which $222.9 was attributable to exports.

He goes on to say that "Digitally intensive companies become global players more quickly than traditional multinational companies, and they are significantly reliant on overseas markets for revenue and growth."

But that's not all.  According to eBay's Public Policy Lab, online platforms allow small businesses to serve overseas markets on a scale that is unmatched by traditional exporters

There's one thing for sure, the Internet is a driver of global digital trade.

Learn more here.