Core Viewpoint - The article discusses the emergence of "digital tariffs" as a new form of economic warfare, particularly illustrated through the case of TikTok in the U.S., where compliance requirements effectively impose hidden costs on the platform and its users [2][4]. Group 1: Digital Tariffs and Economic Impact - The U.S. government has mandated TikTok to migrate user data to local servers, resulting in an investment of approximately $1.5 billion for restructuring [4]. - The annual expenditure for data storage and auditing has surged by over $200 million, translating to an "invisible tax" of about $1.2 per American user [5]. - The increased operational costs lead to higher advertising prices and commissions, impacting small businesses that rely on TikTok for customer acquisition [5]. Group 2: Algorithm Control and Intellectual Property - TikTok's recommendation algorithm, which contributes over 70% to its business value, is a focal point of U.S. regulatory demands, aiming to gain control over this core technology [6]. - A compromise allows TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, to retain intellectual property rights while a local joint venture in the U.S. operates a copy of the algorithm, effectively turning it into a "leased asset" [6]. Group 3: Advantages of Digital Barriers - Digital tariffs circumvent multilateral trade rules, as they are framed under the guise of national security and privacy protection, allowing the U.S. to impose strict requirements selectively [8]. - The flexibility and rapid adjustment of digital barriers enable regulators to redefine "sensitive data" swiftly, making them a more agile tool compared to traditional tariffs [9]. - Digital barriers are often tied to public sentiment and social issues, making them more palatable to the domestic audience and complicating retaliatory measures from other countries [9]. Group 4: Global Digital Governance Fragmentation - The article outlines three major global camps regarding data sovereignty: the U.S. with its "long-arm jurisdiction," the EU with its stringent privacy standards, and China focusing on "sovereignty first" [11][12][13]. - The fragmentation of digital governance could lead to significant economic losses, with estimates suggesting a potential global GDP decline of 4.5% if strict data localization measures are implemented [15]. - Small businesses are particularly vulnerable, as rising costs associated with compliance could force them to reduce marketing budgets or exit platforms like TikTok [15]. Group 5: Future Directions and Solutions - Companies are exploring proactive strategies, such as Huawei's establishment of local data centers in Germany to meet regulatory requirements while retaining control over technology [18]. - Regional agreements like the RCEP could pave the way for coordinated digital rules, potentially forming a "data tariff alliance" among member countries [19]. - The competition for data value chain pricing power signifies a shift from product competition to rule competition in the digital economy [21].