关键词: 数据隐私保护, 数字服务贸易, 通用数据保护条例, 搜寻成本, 合规成本

Abstract: Based on the quasi-natural experiment of the implementation of the General Data Protection Regulation(GDPR) in EU countries, this paper examines the impact of the host countries' data privacy protection policies on China's digital service trade exports using the difference-in-differences method. It is found that the implementation of GDPR has a dampening effect on China's digital services trade exports. The mechanism analysis finds that the host countries' consumer data privacy protection awareness and the government's data regulation efforts have a negative moderating effect, suggesting that increasing the search and compliance costs of exporters is the key to the GDPR's suppression of digital services trade exports. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the export disincentive effect of the GDPR does not differ significantly at the trade sector level, but it is relatively significant in the host countries and this negative effect is stronger in countries with higher internet penetration rates and income levels. This study deepens the understanding of the institutional influences on digital trade from the perspective of data privacy protection, and provides insights into the high-quality development of China's foreign trade.

Key words: Data Privacy Protection, Trade in Digital Services, General Data Protection Regulation, Search Costs, Compliance Costs