This study systematically analyzes the structure and adoption levels of digital trade rules that have been increasingly emphasized in recent international trade agreements. Utilizing the TAPED database, which compiles provisions related to electronic ...
This study systematically analyzes the structure and adoption levels of digital trade rules that have been increasingly emphasized in recent international trade agreements. Utilizing the TAPED database, which compiles provisions related to electronic commerce and data in major regional trade agreements since 2000, the study examines eight core issues in digital trade—namely, cross-border data flows, prohibition of source code and algorithm disclosure, data localization, privacy protection, e-payment and authentication, electronic transferable records, artificial intelligence, and fintech. It evaluates the evolution of these provisions over time and classifies them by legal strength (hard law vs. soft law). A comparative analysis is also conducted for six key countries: Korea, China, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and Singapore. The results show that the adoption of hard law provisions has accelerated since the mid-2010s, particularly in agreements such as the DEPA and CPTPP. While Korea exhibits a high level of digital infrastructure, its adoption rate of hard law provisions remains relatively low, indicating the need for improved institutional alignment and agreement structure. This research provides empirical insights for Korea’s digital trade policy and suggests institutional implications for responding to future digital trade environments.