Statement from ACT | The App Association on United States Trade Representative’s Report on Foreign Trade Barriers

In response to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative’s 2025 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers, ACT | The App Association released the following statement:

ACT | The App Association appreciates the U.S. Trade Representative’s (USTR) thorough review of the key obstacles U.S. companies encounter in foreign markets, which appropriately includes a range of barriers faced by U.S. small businesses. The National Trade Estimate provides a roadmap for enforcement priorities and a guide for shaping future trade negotiations.

Notably, today’s report reinforces a critical reality: U.S. small businesses across digitally-enabled markets are increasingly being squeezed by foreign regulations that claim to promote innovation and competition but achieve the opposite in practice. The NTE appropriately reflects that the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), in particular, has introduced significant uncertainty and compliance costs for developers, limiting consumer choice and making it harder for smaller players to succeed. Further, as the NTE notes, the Republic of Korea’s proposed digital platform regulations raise similar concerns, with the potential to replicate these challenges in another key market for U.S. innovators.

We’re encouraged by USTR’s continued leadership in identifying and calling out these issues. We look forward to working together to push for government policies and trade frameworks that support small business growth and job creation and ensure that innovation remains an American export, not a casualty of overregulation.

About ACT | The App Association & Members

The App Association is a global trade association for small and medium-sized technology companies. Our members are entrepreneurs, innovators, and independent developers within the global app ecosystem that engage with verticals across every industry. We work with and for our members to promote a policy environment that rewards and inspires innovation while providing resources that help them raise capital, create jobs, and continue to build incredible technology.

For more information, please visit www.actonline.org.