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Journal of International Trade Law and Policy: E-commerce mercantilismpractices and causes
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Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to highlight in particular one commercially influential but subtle constituent of
China’s mercantilist stratagem – asymmetrical internet access. The wider aim of the paper is to provide a
solid basis of real-world facts and knowledge to the e-commerce discussions at the World Trade Organization
and the ongoing plurilateral e-commerce negotiations.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper uses an empirical approach to reflect the general
experiences of consumers connecting from China to e-commerce platform websites in other countries and vice
versa consumers connecting from other countries to China’s e-commerce platform.
Findings – The empirical data show that Chinese potential customers trying to connect to the websites of
foreign internet retailers in 17 other sample countries are faced with prohibitively long waiting times. In
contrast, the average waiting time that it takes for customers in those other 17 countries to link up to China’s
major internet retail platforms is much shorter.
Practical implications – The hard evidence presented here serves to strengthen the arguments that such
internet censorship is used by China to establish unfair e-commerce advantage. This paper further argues that
the General Agreement on Trade in Services is restrained from providing systemic solutions to the digital
mercantilism problem. It is essential, therefore, that the ongoing plurilateral e-commerce negotiations address
this issue.
Originality/value – This paper is the first to publish detailed results of a systematic survey designed to
analyze the impact of asymmetrical internet access in China. It is also the first to examine the extent and effect
of differing internet connection speeds in the context of international trade. The outcome of the survey
provides a factual base for future rule-making at the multilateral level.
NONE
Text
ENGLISH
EMERALD INSIGHT
2020
ENGLAND
JURNAL ILMU HUKUM
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APA Citation
C.Y. Cyrus Chu. (2020).Journal of International Trade Law and Policy:
E-commerce mercantilismpractices and causes.(Electronic Thesis or Dissertation). Retrieved from https://localhost/etd