国际战略研究中心-CPTPP成员国企业如何看待CPTPP？（英）-2021.8-19页_1mb

CPTPP Member Country Businesses' Perceptions of the Agreement

Core Content

The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), signed by 11 countries in 2018, has had varying impacts on businesses across its member economies. This summary outlines the key findings from a survey of 530 firms in Australia, Mexico, Singapore, and Vietnam conducted between May 20 and June 18, 2021.

Main Conclusions

1. E-commerce Provisions are Timely and Beneficial

   • The CPTPP's e-commerce provisions, including free data transfer, a ban on server localization, and consumer data privacy, are highly relevant for firms that already export, sell online, and use cross-border data.
   • 65% of surveyed firms move data across borders, with 16% transferring data to foreign affiliates and 27% receiving data from overseas platforms.
   • 41% of firms use cloud computing, which often involves cross-border data transfers.

2. Gains in Market Diversification and Sales

   • Exporters, especially medium and large firms, report significant benefits from the CPTPP, such as gaining new customers (45%), scoring new sales (39%), and diversifying into new markets (36%).
   • Small online sellers (e.g., on Amazon, Alibaba, Shopee, Lazada) report even higher gains: 51% say the CPTPP helped them diversify markets, and 36% reached new foreign customers.
   • Non-exporters benefit from better access to foreign suppliers and investment, but are less aware of the agreement’s provisions.

3. Digital Trade Provisions are Especially Beneficial for Online Sellers

   • 73% of small online seller-exporters find the CPTPP’s data transfer provisions very or somewhat beneficial.
   • 66% of small online seller-exporters see the ban on server localization as beneficial, and 61% value the liberalization of trade in services.
   • 83% of midsize and large firms highlight free data transfer as beneficial, and 76% find the ban on duties on electronic transmissions important.

4. Challenges Remain for Data Privacy and Compliance

   • 43% of exporters are concerned about foreign data privacy rules, and 32% worry about data localization and complex consumer protection regulations.
   • Small online seller-exporters face even greater challenges: 62% and 38% cite data privacy and data localization as major obstacles.
   • Vietnamese firms are particularly challenged by data privacy and consumer protection rules, with 66% and 57% expressing concerns, respectively.

5. CPTPP is Not the Most Important Factor for Business Growth

   • While the CPTPP is seen as important by some, it ranks lower than firm-specific events such as securing a major customer or starting to export.
   • About 20% of firms see the CPTPP as enabling exports, and 11% report it made it harder to compete, especially due to the impact of Covid-19.
   • CPTPP is also less impactful than other trade agreements like NAFTA and RCEP.

6. Enforcement and Implementation Concerns

   • Firms would like to see better enforcement of CPTPP provisions and lower taxes on online sales.
   • Mexico and Vietnam receive the worst marks for implementation and enforcement, with Vietnam also enacting restrictive cybersecurity laws that contradict CPTPP commitments.
   • Japan and Singapore are perceived as having good enforcement records.

7. Need for Better Information and Support

   • Firms want more information about foreign customers, market opportunities, and e-commerce capabilities to grow their sales in the CPTPP region.
   • Exporters are more likely to access this information than non-exporters.
   • In Vietnam, awareness of the CPTPP is higher, with firms accessing information from the government.
   • To better leverage the CPTPP, firms need virtual matchmaking events, e-commerce promotion, and capacity-building programs for digital marketing and transformation.

Key Information

• Survey Scope: 530 firms from Australia, Mexico, Singapore, and Vietnam.
• Main Benefits: Diversification of markets, new customers, and growth in sales, especially for online sellers and exporters.
• Main Challenges: Data privacy, data localization, compliance with foreign regulations, and intellectual property rights.
• Implementation Concerns: Inconsistent enforcement, particularly in Mexico and Vietnam.
• Renegotiation Priorities: Better enforcement, lower taxes on online sales, improved online liability rules, and protection of intellectual property.
• Support Needed: Enhanced information sharing, digital marketing support, and e-commerce capacity-building.

Summary of Key Findings

• E-commerce Provisions are critical for businesses that already export and use data.
• Exporters benefit more than non-exporters from the CPTPP, with small online sellers reporting the highest gains.
• Data privacy and localization are among the greatest challenges for online seller-exporters.
• Vietnam and Mexico face the most significant implementation and enforcement issues.
• CPTPP is not the most impactful trade deal for most firms, with Covid-19 having a greater effect.
• Firms want more information and support to fully benefit from the agreement.