Research On The Impact Of Digital Services Trade Restrictions On The Technical Complexity Of Digital Services Exports

At present,the global digital economy is developing rapidly,with a wide range of radiation and deep influence,and has become an important driving force for global economic development.Digital services are becoming a key force in the era of digital economy.At this stage,although the overall development trend of China’s digital service trade is good,China’s digital service trade export is still in a relatively disadvantaged position among major global economies.China’s development of digital service trade still faces many problems.Currently,there is a lot of room for improvement in digital service trade policies.Therefore,from the perspective of restrictive measures for digital service trade,this paper studies the impact on the technical complexity of China’s digital service export,and combines the research results to provide theoretical reference and policy suggestions for the formulation and adjustment of digital service trade policies.Through the review of literature,the relevant research on digital service trade,restrictive measures of digital service trade and export technology complexity is reviewed,and the influence mechanism of restrictive measures of digital service trade on the technical complexity of digital service export is theoretically analyzed.Based on this,three research hypotheses are proposed.Secondly,combined with the digital service restrictiveness index of the OECD database,the status quo of digital service restrictive policies in 37 countries is expounded from the national dimension and the policy field dimension;the technical complexity of digital service exports of 37 countries were analyzed by industry and compared among countries.In terms of empirical research,using 2014-2021 cross-border panel data,we empirically analyze the impact of digital service restrictive measures on the technical complexity of digital service exports.The following are the research results: First,the restrictive measures of digital services in various countries are mainly concentrated in the fields of infrastructure and connectivity,while the fields of intellectual property rights and payment systems are less restrictive.The restriction index of developed countries is generally lower than that of developing countries.Second,the technical complexity of digital service exports in various countries is generally increasing year by year.The technical complexity of digital service exports in developed countries is generally higher than that in developing countries.Third,the empirical results show that the restrictive measures of digital service trade have a significant negative impact on the technical complexity of digital service export,while the control variables of service trade openness,intellectual property rights,physical capital,urbanization rate and economic development level are all have a positive effect on the technological complexity of digital service exports.Fourth,the sample test results based on the type of economy show that the restrictive policies of digital service trade have a significant negative effect on both developed countries and developing countries,and the negative impact on developed countries is greater;The sample test results based on the type of policies show that restrictive policies in the fields of electronic transactions,infrastructure and connectivity have a significant negative impact on the technical complexity of digital service exports,and restrictive measures in the field of intellectual property rights have a significant positive impact on the technical complexity of digital service exports.Lastly,restrictive measures for trade in digital services will impede the increase in the technical complexity of digital service exports by hindering technological R&D innovation and inhibiting digital service imports.Based on the above research results,the following suggestions are put forward for China’s rational formulation of digital service trade policies: implement differentiated digital service trade policies,taking into account national security and trade promotion;improve digital service trade supporting services,and create a convenient and secure business environment;actively participate in the formulation of international economic and trade rules,and comprehensively enhance the institutional discourse power.