As the world embraces a technological revolution, the need for protectionism in the digital landscape increases.

This white paper examines the link between the valuable natural resources underpinning tech advances and the increasing importance of data to businesses, as well as emerging digital trade barriers.

The challenges of digital protectionism hinder data-dependent businesses and their potential for growth and exposure to new markets and consumers, while also adding significant costs to their operations. Businesses operating on an international scale will need to be aware of this new landscape of the digital economy.

In continuation of our previous research, this white paper explores a new frontline of protectionism; the war for influence and even control of the engines of digital growth - data and raw materials.

'Protectionism 2.0' includes a thorough review of all available data, including resources from the Global Trade Alert dataset, the European Centre for International Political Economy and the Information Technology and Innovation Foundation.