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Reports

December 2024

More than Just Another Expansion: Why Does the 3rd Information Technology Agreement (ITA3) Need to Be Bold?

Published Under

APEC Secretariat, APEC Policy Support Unit

Accessed

1806

Pages

13

Digital technologies have undoubtedly transformed people’s daily lives, but their seamless operation depends on a complex array of elements, including the availability of information and communications technology (ICT) goods. Trade plays a crucial role in accessing these goods, yet trade frictions like tariffs and non-tariff barriers (NTBs) can hamper this process. To address some of these frictions, economies developed the ITA1. Two decades later, an expansion (ITA2) was concluded. However, a rapidly changing technology landscape calls for another expansion. A prospective ITA3 could not only further support the adoption of emerging technologies but also create an opportunity for bolder solutions. APEC economies can spearhead the development of a bold ITA3 by enhancing government-industry dialogues to identify new products, ensuring the agreement remains evergreen, incorporating robust NTB interventions, and institutionalising capacity-building measures.