Joint Statement and Op-Ed on Singapore-Australia DEA2020-10-14

By Jane Drake-Brockman

Australia has achieved its most comprehensive deal on digital trade with the conclusion of negotiations on the Singapore-Australia DEA. The government has put down clear markers for other bilateral and regional trade negotiations, including with the EU; and taken a global leadership role, along with Singapore, in signalling vital directions for the WTO negotiations on Electronic Commerce (e-commerce).

ASR has been a staunch supporter of this agreement from the outset. ASR Director Jane Drake-Brockman has published an opinion piece outlining the many benefits of the DEA. ASR and the Singapore Business Federation have published a joint media statement looking forward to the ratification of “one of the most ambitious and comprehensive agreements on digital trade”.

“The SADEA is a testament to the long-standing, multi-faceted bilateral relationship between Singapore and Australia,” ASR and the SBF say in their joint statement.

“Both countries have provided invaluable thought leadership in digital trade policy, are championing negotiations at the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for an agreement on trade-related aspects of e-commerce and lobbying other WTO Members on the need for a permanent moratorium on customs 2 duties on electronic transmissions, which is essential to rules-based growth of the digital economy.”