Asia’s digital economy is shaped as much by policy and trade as by products. ASEAN is negotiating DEFA, its Digital Economy Framework Agreement, to create a single digital market. Governments from Vietnam to India are writing AI and platform rules. And digital trade corridors with the US, China, Japan, Korea, the UK, the EU, the UAE and Australia decide where capital, chips, talent and platforms flow.
This hub collects Digital in Asia’s coverage of digital trade and tech policy, including our 15-part series on Asia’s bilateral digital trade relationships.
Regional frameworks
- ASEAN DEFA: Southeast Asia’s Push for a Single Digital Market
The ASEAN Digital Economy Framework Agreement could unlock up to $1 trillion in additional economic potential. But its real significance may be in removing the barriers that have kept Southeast … - How Does Cross-Border E-Commerce Work in Asia in 2026? Inside the Region’s Trade System
Cross-border e-commerce: Asia's $45B parcel system defying every tariff. Inside the cross-border fulfilment stack.
Bilateral digital trade series
- What is the State of US–Vietnam Digital Trade in 2026? Manufacturing, Chips, and the Engineering Shift
US Vietnam manufacturing digital: the US takes 30%+ of Vietnam's exports as the relationship shifts from T-shirts to chips and engineering. - What is the State of US–India Digital Trade in 2026? Tech, AI, Chips, and the $200B Relationship
US India strategic tech: $200B+ digital trade and 1,800 GCCs (65% US-owned). The relationship defining the next decade. - What is the State of US–Singapore Digital Trade in 2026? America’s Southeast Asia Gateway
US Singapore digital gateway: $112.6B in bilateral trade. Singapore remains the operating layer for US tech, capital and regulation across SEA. - What is the State of US–Malaysia Digital Trade in 2026? Semiconductors and Data Centres
US Malaysia semiconductors: $30B+ data centre investment in 2024 — most American. Inside Malaysia's chip and cloud build-out. - What is the State of US–Philippines Digital Trade in 2026? From BPO to AI Labour
US Philippines BPO AI: the $38-40B IT-BPM industry where 65% of revenue is US. How AI is rewriting the next phase. - What is the State of China–Indonesia Digital Trade in 2026? Southeast Asia’s Most Important Platform Tie
China Indonesia platform commerce: $109B in Indonesia's 2025 digital economy, with Chinese platforms embedded across every layer. - What is the State of China–Thailand Digital Trade in 2026? Tourism, Platforms, and EVs
China Thailand tourism: Chinese platforms driving Thailand's e-commerce, EVs and tourism. Inside Thailand's consumer pivot east. - What is the State of Japan–Vietnam Digital Trade in 2026? Engineering Partnerships Through the Stack
Japan Vietnam engineering: $50B+ bilateral trade with engineering, semiconductors and digital services driving the next phase. - What is the State of Japan–Thailand Digital Trade in 2026? Industry Meets Digital Soft Power
Japan Thailand digital: Japan led 2025 Thailand FDI at 20% share. Inside smart cities, gaming, manufacturing and digital infrastructure. - What is the State of Korea–Vietnam Digital Trade in 2026? From K-Content to Digital Commerce
Korea Vietnam digital consumer: Samsung's 13% of Vietnam GDP plus K-pop, e-commerce and brands shaping the consumer market. - What is the State of UK–Vietnam Digital Trade in 2026? Fintech, AI, and Education Ties
UK Vietnam digital trade: $8.4B in 2024 (+18% YoY). Inside fintech, education, AI services and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. - EU–India Digital Trade: FTA, Regulation, Talent
EU India digital path: FTA concluded January 2026. Inside services, IT, data adequacy and the third regulatory path. - What is the State of UAE–India Digital Trade in 2026? Capital, Talent, and IT Services Flows
UAE India digital economy: $83.7B FY24 trade, with fintech, AI, remittances and capital driving the next phase. - What is the State of UAE–Singapore Digital Trade in 2026? Two Small States with Outsized Digital Power
UAE Singapore digital: two small states managing $2T+ in capital and operating the most sophisticated digital regulatory regimes in their regions. - What is the State of Australia–Indonesia Digital Trade in 2026? The Region’s Most Underbuilt Corridor
Australia Indonesia digital: 290M-population market and a digital partnership significantly underbuilt relative to its potential.
AI & tech policy
- AI Policy in Asia: National Strategies and Regulatory Frameworks
Tracker of AI laws, strategies and governance instruments across 11 Asian markets and ASEAN, with official sources. Sources checked October 2026. - Vietnam’s AI Law Explained: What It Means for Foreign Companies
Vietnam's AI Law took effect March 2026 with risk-based classification, fines up to 2% of revenue, and mandatory legal representatives for foreign providers. Full compliance guide. - Sovereign AI in Asia: Why Every Country Is Building Its Own LLM
From Japan's Fugaku-LLM to India's Krutrim and South Korea's HyperCLOVA X, Asian governments are racing to build sovereign AI models. Why language, data, and national security are driving the push. - China’s AI Strategy: Domestic Models, Semiconductors and State Investment
China AI token usage hit 140 trillion daily in March 2026. A comprehensive look at DeepSeek, Qwen, Huawei Ascend chips, and the state strategy driving it all. - Asia’s AI Semiconductor Supply Chain: TSMC, Samsung and China’s Chip Strategy
TSMC fabricates over 90% of the world's advanced AI chips while Samsung and SK Hynix dominate HBM memory. How Asia's semiconductor concentration creates both opportunity and systemic supply risk for global AI. - Decree 147: Vietnam’s Domestic Gaming Realignment
Decree 147 Vietnam forces foreign gaming companies to invest $500K-$2M or exit. Riot and Blizzard left. VNG consolidated. What the regulation means for operators.