What the study found
The article argues that development has not been adequately mainstreamed into international digital trade lawmaking. It says that current digital trade rulemaking, which is happening mainly through bilateral, regional, and plurilateral platforms, is contributing to a widening digital divide.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors say this matters because digital trade may help developing and least developed countries, small businesses, women, and indigenous communities benefit from globalization. The study suggests that placing development at the center of future multilateral digital trade lawmaking, especially through the World Trade Organization (WTO), could better address economic inequalities.
What the researchers tested
The article revisits international digital trade lawmaking from a development lens. It briefly examines the historical trajectory of the development agenda in post-World War II international trade law and then reviews how development priorities appear in existing digital trade agreements.
What worked and what didn't
The article finds that existing digital trade agreements reflect development priorities only to a limited extent, and it identifies critical shortcomings in the current international digital trade law regime. It also offers reform proposals and forward-looking strategies to mainstream development into future digital trade rulemaking.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not describe empirical data, experiments, or case-specific testing. It also does not provide detailed findings from the review beyond noting shortcomings in the current regime.
Key points
- The article says development is not adequately built into international digital trade lawmaking.
- It states that digital trade rulemaking is advancing mainly through bilateral, regional, and plurilateral platforms.
- The abstract says this process is deepening the digital divide.
- The authors review the development agenda in post-World War II international trade law and its appearance in existing digital trade agreements.
- The article proposes reform ideas to mainstream development into future WTO-centered digital trade rulemaking.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Development lens for digital trade lawmaking
- Authors:
- Mohammed Abu Saleh
- Publication date:
- 2026-02-23
- DOI:
- 10.54648/trad2026014
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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