The Digital Trade Revolution

Jordan G. Heiber Jordan G. Heiber
Vice President, International Digital Economy Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce
Isabelle Icso Isabelle Icso
Senior Director, International Policy, U.S. Chamber of Commerce

Published

March 19, 2024

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The digital revolution is delivering substantial benefits for the U.S. economy, driving growth, prosperity, and dynamism across every state and congressional district. For decades, American innovation has positioned the U.S. as the global leader in the digital economy, and the digital revolution means that U.S. exports increasingly rely on digital trade. America needs strong digital trade rules that:

  • Open international markets for American service providers, manufacturers, and agri-businesses to export an ever-increasing number of digitally enabled goods and services.
  • Facilitate data flows, the lifeblood of the digital economy.      
  • Protect intellectual property embedded in digital goods and services.
  • Prevent discriminatory treatment of American companies in foreign markets.

However, an abrupt policy change by the Biden administration has undermined American leadership on digital trade and is threatening the continued success of U.S. firms large and small. 

Prosperity at Risk

In October 2023, USTR announced it was withdrawing its support for digital trade rules—previously endorsed on a strong bipartisan basis by Congress. USTR seems to have been hijacked by radical voices advocating that digital trade rules only benefit big technology firms and will get in the way of Congress’s ability to regulate things like privacy. Nothing could be further from the truth.  Digital trade rules advance America’s ability to ensure a diverse range of firms of all sizes can reach customers in countries around the world.  These rules protect American digitally enabled exports from discriminatory treatment and prevent U.S. cutting edge technologies from being stolen in foreign markets. 

Broad Bipartisan Support

Further, trade rules have never prevented Congress from passing new laws and regulations, including those that could be needed in the future to address emerging technologies like AI.  Most recently, Congress reaffirmed this when it passed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which includes strong digital trade provisions, with 90% of the House and Senate voting in favor. Nearly two-thirds of the digital economy consists of digital services, not digital goods. The digital economy is expanding nearly three times as rapidly as the economy writ large. In short, digitally enabled products and services are not confined to a handful of “big” companies, let alone the “tech” sector.

3 Million American Jobs

The digital economy has become critical to the U.S. economy, driving growth and creating high-paying jobs. In fact, digital trade exports supported more than 3 million direct and indirect U.S. jobs in 2022.  Select a state and district below to discover the impact.

The Impacts of Digital Trade Across America

Select a state to see how digital trade affects America's communities
  • 13,773
    Alabama’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $3,116,349,072
    Alabama’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 36%
    Alabama’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Alabama’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 1,076
    Alaska’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $186,421,942
    Alaska’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • -18%
    Alaska’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Alaska’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 46,402
    Arizona’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $9,578,135,285
    Arizona’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 94%
    Arizona’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Arizona’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 5,863
    Arkansas’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,315,629,059
    Arkansas’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 144%
    Arkansas’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Arkansas’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 655,128
    California’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $142,675,841,902
    California’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 64%
    California’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download California’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 60,975
    Colorado’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $11,940,068,855
    Colorado’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 51%
    Colorado’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Colorado’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 52,368
    Connecticut’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $11,868,364,510
    Connecticut’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 33%
    Connecticut’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Connecticut’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 13,261
    Delaware’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $3,556,131,844
    Delaware’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 41%
    Delaware’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Delaware’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 33,760
    District of Columbia’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $6,487,481,841
    District of Columbia’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 71%
    District of Columbia’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download District of Columbia’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 144,292
    Florida’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $24,691,418,178
    Florida’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 105%
    Florida’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Florida’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 84,387
    Georgia’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $17,942,641,247
    Georgia’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 68%
    Georgia’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Georgia’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 3,445
    Hawaii’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $595,162,101
    Hawaii’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 80%
    Hawaii’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Hawaii’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 6,640
    Idaho’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,318,433,484
    Idaho’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 85%
    Idaho’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Idaho’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 141,623
    Illinois’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $28,253,316,883
    Illinois’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 65%
    Illinois’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Illinois’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 29,438
    Indiana’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $6,307,672,548
    Indiana’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 29%
    Indiana’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Indiana’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 14,767
    Iowa’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $3,504,423,862
    Iowa’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 48%
    Iowa’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Iowa’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 15,451
    Kansas’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $2,854,372,152
    Kansas’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 62%
    Kansas’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Kansas’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 9,911
    Kentucky’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,989,809,083
    Kentucky’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 45%
    Kentucky’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Kentucky’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 12,682
    Louisiana’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $2,674,209,376
    Louisiana’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 6%
    Louisiana’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Louisiana’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 5,186
    Maine’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,023,097,255
    Maine’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 125%
    Maine’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Maine’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 63,079
    Maryland’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $12,134,807,835
    Maryland’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 62%
    Maryland’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Maryland’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 145,541
    Massachusetts’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $32,112,594,301
    Massachusetts’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 47%
    Massachusetts’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Massachusetts’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 40,266
    Michigan’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $7,754,160,297
    Michigan’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 36%
    Michigan’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Michigan’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 44,392
    Minnesota’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $9,319,222,403
    Minnesota’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 43%
    Minnesota’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Minnesota’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 3,520
    Mississippi’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $782,954,337
    Mississippi’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 27%
    Mississippi’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Mississippi’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 34,926
    Missouri’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $7,534,693,314
    Missouri’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 56%
    Missouri’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Missouri’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 3,155
    Montana’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $595,266,296
    Montana’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 119%
    Montana’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Montana’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 8,278
    Nebraska’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,813,995,896
    Nebraska’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 45%
    Nebraska’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Nebraska’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 11,295
    Nevada’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $2,053,970,492
    Nevada’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 69%
    Nevada’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Nevada’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 14,237
    New Hampshire’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $2,719,461,920
    New Hampshire’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 54%
    New Hampshire’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download New Hampshire’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 99,704
    New Jersey’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $18,969,084,938
    New Jersey’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 52%
    New Jersey’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download New Jersey’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 6,911
    New Mexico’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,378,521,127
    New Mexico’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 58%
    New Mexico’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download New Mexico’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 392,735
    New York’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $95,027,594,168
    New York’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 50%
    New York’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download New York’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 94,187
    North Carolina’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $20,699,023,222
    North Carolina’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 80%
    North Carolina’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download North Carolina’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 1,362
    North Dakota’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $378,642,686
    North Dakota’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 22%
    North Dakota’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download North Dakota’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 66,903
    Ohio’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $15,455,194,440
    Ohio’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 96%
    Ohio’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Ohio’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 6,860
    Oklahoma’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,255,710,822
    Oklahoma’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 63%
    Oklahoma’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Oklahoma’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 24,836
    Oregon’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $5,548,808,144
    Oregon’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 49%
    Oregon’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Oregon’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 81,113
    Pennsylvania’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $17,582,048,454
    Pennsylvania’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 44%
    Pennsylvania’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Pennsylvania’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 5,273
    Rhode Island’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,074,479,416
    Rhode Island’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 24%
    Rhode Island’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Rhode Island’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 16,550
    South Carolina’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $3,125,557,541
    South Carolina’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 70%
    South Carolina’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download South Carolina’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 4,801
    South Dakota’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $1,318,612,761
    South Dakota’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 58%
    South Dakota’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download South Dakota’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 44,623
    Tennessee’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $7,876,373,113
    Tennessee’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 122%
    Tennessee’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Tennessee’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 228,228
    Texas’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $43,321,703,797
    Texas’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 68%
    Texas’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Texas’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 28,350
    Utah’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $6,557,579,154
    Utah’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 104%
    Utah’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Utah’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 3,916
    Vermont’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $668,540,259
    Vermont’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 71%
    Vermont’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Vermont’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 92,522
    Virginia’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $16,492,793,382
    Virginia’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 84%
    Virginia’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Virginia’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 97,216
    Washington’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $25,385,446,224
    Washington’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 37%
    Washington’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Washington’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 2,338
    West Virginia’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $459,119,701
    West Virginia’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 13%
    West Virginia’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download West Virginia’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 21,675
    Wisconsin’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $5,202,582,787
    Wisconsin’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 31%
    Wisconsin’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Wisconsin’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

  • 931
    Wyoming’s jobs dependent upon digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • $175,476,294
    Wyoming’s digitally tradable exports, 2022.
  • 112.00%
    Wyoming’s growth in digitally tradable exports, 2013-2022.

Download Wyoming’s digital fact sheet, or explore a district using the dropdown below.

Data source: Trade Partnership Worldwide’s CDxports database

The Digital Trade Revolution

About the authors

Jordan G. Heiber

Jordan G. Heiber

Jordan Heiber leads the Chamber’s international privacy and data flow policy portfolio and manages a team responsible for the full suite of digital policy issues, including cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and more.

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Isabelle Icso

Isabelle Icso

Isabelle Icso, senior director of international policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, advocates for the Chamber’s international trade and investment priorities before the administration, Congress, and foreign governments.

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