数据跨境流动限制措施如何影响数字服务出口

How Restrictions on Cross-Border Flows of Data Affect Exports of Digital Services

摘要:

基于 OECD-DSTRI 数据库出台的数字服务贸易限制指数,对 2014—2021 年 10 个出口国和 48 个进口国的跨境流动限制指数和 6 个新兴数字服务行业的出口数据进行匹配,实证检验了双边数据跨境流动限制措施对数字服务出口的影响,并从多个视角对其展开机制检验和异质性分析。 研究表明:双边数据跨境流动限制措施均抑制数字服务出口,且出口国的数据跨境流动限制措施对数字服务出口的抑制作用大于进口国。 通过异质性分析发现,发达国家与欧盟国家之间的数据跨境流限制阻碍数字服务出口的影响较小,且这些措施的具体影响因数字服务行业的类型而异。 机制检验表明,出口国跨境数据流动限制措施通过增加贸易成本阻碍了数字服务出口。 进一步分析发现,数字基础设施水平提升和 RTA 数字贸易协定签订可以降低数据跨境流动限制措施阻碍数字服务出口的程度。 研究结论为减少数据跨境流动限制,进而赋能数字服务贸易对外开放以促进中国服务外贸增长提供了重要实证支持。

Abstract:

The cross-border flow restriction indices of 10 exporting and 48 importing countries and the export data of six emerging digital service industries from 2014 to 2021 were matched using the OECD-DSTRI database. The impact of bilateral data cross-border flow restrictions on digital service exports was empirically examined, and a mechanism test and heterogeneity analysis were developed from multiple perspectives. It is shown that bilateral data cross-border flow restrictions inhibit digital service exports, and that data cross-border flow restrictions in exporting countries have a greater inhibitory effect on digital service exports than in importing countries. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that data cross-border flow restrictions between developed countries and EU countries hinder digital services exports to a lesser extent, and that the specific impact of these measures varies according to the type of digital services industry. Mechanism tests show that cross-border data flow restrictions hinder digital services exports by increasing trade cost. Further extension of the analysis finds that digital infrastructure level enhancement and RTA digital trade agreement signing can reduce the extent to which data cross-border flow restrictions impede digital services exports. Further analysis finds that increased levels of digital infrastructure and the signing of RTA digital trade agreements can reduce the extent to which restrictions on the cross-border flow of data impede the export of digital services. The conclusions provide important empirical support for reducing cross-border data flow restrictions and thus empowering the opening up of digital services trade to the outside world to promote China's services foreign trade growth.