Washington, D.C. – In May, Congresswoman Carol Miller (R-WV) and Congressmen Vicente Gonzales (D-TX), Rudy Yakym (R-IN), and Max Miller (R-OH) re-introduced the United States-Republic of Korea Digital Trade Enforcement Act. This legislation protects American digital companies operating in Korea from discriminatory treatment.
“With foreign trade at the forefront of President Trump’s focus, the importance of protecting American companies abroad has never been greater. Newly elected South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung’s digital regulatory legislation would disproportionately impact U.S. companies and threaten their ability to operate overseas. I reintroduced the United States-Republic of Korea Digital Trade Enforcement Act this Congress to maintain a level playing field for our companies operating abroad and ensure an environment that allows both of our nations’ digital companies to thrive remains intact. It is the United States’ responsibility to regulate our digital companies, not a foreign government’s. I thank my colleagues for joining me in the re-introduction of this legislation and look forward to working with House leadership to get it passed,” said Rep. Carol Miller.
“With the victory of President Lee, the US - ROK Digital Trade Enforcement Act is imperative. His promise to pass PCPA would unduly burden U.S. platforms while benefiting Chinese digital companies. As our trade deficit with South Korea continues to increase, we must ensure free digital trade between our nations is upheld,” said Rep. Max Miller.
The United States-Republic of Korea Digital Trade Enforcement Act is supported by the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA), the Coalition of Service Industries (CSI), and the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF):
“We are pleased to see members focus on investigating discriminatory policies that disproportionately target U.S. companies in the digital space. Guaranteeing fair access to the Korean market for U.S. digital services is the foundation of a strong and durable economic and security partnership between the United States and Korea that benefits both countries,” said Jonathan McHale, Vice President of Digital Trade at the Computer and Communications Industry Association (CCIA).
“The Coalition of Services Industries supports bipartisan efforts to address discriminatory digital barriers emanating from Korea, a vital trade and economic security partner. We remain concerned about the disproportionate impact of Korea’s proposed online platform measures on U.S. digital services providers, which risks undermining Korea’s obligations under our bilateral trade agreements and could set troubling precedents that invite similar actions in other key markets,” said Christine Bliss, President of the Coalition of Service Industries.
"The Information Technology and Innovation Foundation commends Congresswoman Miller’s leadership in standing up for American digital innovation in the face of growing regulatory threats abroad. Korea’s pending platform bills would significantly dampen innovation and disproportionately burden U.S. companies, while leaving Chinese firms untouched. These proposals not only risk undermining the digital competitiveness of a key ally, but play into China’s strategic interests by sidelining U.S. tech leadership. The U.S.-ROK Digital Trade Enforcement Act sends a clear signal that the United States will defend its innovators and push back against foreign regulations that violate trade agreements and jeopardize our shared economic and strategic goals,” said the Information Technology & Innovation Foundation (ITIF).
Click HERE for bill text.
Background:
- The Platform Competition Promotion Act (PCPA), and similar legislation introduced in the Korean legislature is framed as an anti-monopoly bill but would end up directly targeting U.S. firms and subjecting them to office raids, fines, and disclosing private information.
- This bill states that if the ROK passes the PCPA or any other legislation that attacks a U.S. digital company, the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will report to Congress on the impacts to the platform, whether the action is in violation of a trade agreement, and impacts to U.S. commerce as a whole.
- Following the report, the United States Trade Representative is instructed to take action to protect U.S. trade which may include a case within the World Trade Organization (WTO) dispute settlement body, a Section 301 investigation, a dispute under the US-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), or entering into an agreement with Korea to mitigate all impacts.
- President Lee Jae-Myung, who was elected on June 3, 2025, has repeatedly advocated for the PCPA and promised a swift passage.
- President Donald Trump and USTR Jamieson Greer have continuously voiced concern about Korea passing this legislation and stated that this issue will come up in negotiations.
- On June 10, 2025, Congresswoman Miller spoke about the bill at the Coalition of Service Industry’s (CSI) 2025 Global Services Summit. Video can be found here.
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