Trade : US launches probe into France's proposed digital services tax   (D. Ravi Kanth, Geneva) (PRIV)
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The United States on Wednesday launched a probe of France's planned tax on digital services under the controversial Section 301 of the US Trade Act of 1974, threatening Paris as well as other governments that the Trump administration would impose unilateral trade measures if taxes are levied on electronic transmissions in the global internet economy, trade envoys said.

United Nations : Big Tech's control of consumer data raises concerns   (Kanaga Raja, Geneva) (PRIV)
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Large technology companies have penetrated many aspects of people's lifestyles, with such digital platforms providing many benefits, but also gaining significant control of consumer data, which confers market power, raising not only competition-related concerns, but also concerns related to consumer protection and privacy.

GCF : Board agrees on procedure for decision-making in absence of consensus   (Indrajit Bose, Songdo) (PRIV)
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The Board of the UNFCCC's Green Climate Fund (GCF) adopted a key decision on how the Board will make decisions in the event consensus could not be reached at its 23rd meeting in Songdo, South Korea from 6-8 July.

Opinion : Industrial policy finally legitimate?   (IPS, Kuala Lumpur) (PRIV)
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For decades, the two Bretton Woods institutions have rejected the contribution of industrial policy (IP), or government investment and technology promotion efforts, in accelerating and sustaining growth, industrialization and structural transformation.