WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last night, the Senate Finance Committee approved S.995, the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015, or the Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). The bill included a key provision on digital trade, an issue championed by Chairman Thune and Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) in the Digital Trade Act of 2013. Inclusion of digital trade in TPA is critical for the modern era and will address harmful foreign barriers to digital trade, such as restrictions on data flows across borders and data localization requirements.

Chairman Thune praised the passage of the digital trade provision:
 
"The Internet has revolutionized the way the world interacts and conducts business – and international trade is no exception. Internet commerce and the free flow of data across borders enhances choices and reduces costs for consumers worldwide. I applaud the inclusion of this provision that will speed new job growth across all sectors of the economy."
 
Background: The digital trade provision establishes negotiating objectives of the United States for digital trade—including cross-border data flows and data localization—and places significance on the Internet as an avenue for international trade and commerce. It also ensures that electronically-delivered goods and services receive no less favorable treatment, a critical provision for Internet commerce.