Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT) and blockchain are increasingly impacting international trade around the world.

The transformative impact of technology on international trade is even more evident today, when the ongoing global expansion of the Internet, driven by the combination of massive amounts of data with unprecedented levels of computing power, is enabling transformative innovations such as AIIoT, blockchain, cloud computing and quantum computing.

However, according to a report by the World Trade Organization (WTO), this development not only opens up opportunities and benefits for those involved in international trade, but also raises a number of concerns, including the risk of cyber attacks.

In order to improve the cyber security of equipment, infrastructure and assets that support software and are connected to the network, many governments adopt various regulations related to cyber security, including security measures. Technical barriers to trading (OTC), namely technical regulations, standards and conformity assessment procedures.

TBT’s measures regarding cybersecurity have recently become one of the most prominent digital-related topics discussed at the TBT Committee.

Artificial intelligence

To date, more than 70 cybersecurity-related actions have been notified to the TBT Committee, 70% of them over the past three years.

Among other things, it deals with IoT cybersecurity, 5G technology, telecommunication and radio equipment, and network-connected goods and software.

Most of these acts indicate that they have been proposed or adopted for the protection of national security requirements (Article 2.2 of the TBT Agreement).

Other stated objectives are prevention of fraudulent practices, protection of human health or safety, and quality. Among the most active members notifying in this area are European Union (and/or its Member States), Brazil, United States of America, great Britain, Vietnamese, Uganda, Japan, China Y Chinese Taipei.

In recent years, WTO members have increasingly used TBT Committee meetings to raise and discuss TBT measures related to cybersecurity.

The steps are subject to this certain business matters regulates, among others, ICT products and network equipment, vehicles, civil aviation, banking and insurance, among others.