How Chinas' Cyber Security Law Affects International Business, Trade in Services and the Electronic data Transfer

There have been well-known efforts by the Chinese government to control access to the Internet in general, in particular with regards to cross-border data flows. In a favourable environment for foreign companies interested in their business, data traffic is often crucial. In June 2018, a new Cyber Security law came into force. In 2018, it was possible to witness, how mainly two WTO Member States' behaviour led to an escalation in trade measures. It seems that the development leans to whoever has enough power to ignore international law is right. Especially for a small national economy like Switzerland such a development can be dangerous. Further, the publication answers the questions what can be done to avoid an unnecessary negative impact on trade and how the law shall be assessed from a trade political perspective of Switzerland.