What’s next for global internet freedom under the Trump administration?

Internet freedom remains a significant challenge around the world. Highly restrictive countries, such as China and Iran, block residents from accessing search engines, social networks, and news organizations. The U.S. has previously supported the rights of all internet users to freedom of expression, assembly, and association online. However, the Obama administration’s internet freedom agenda has not yet been addressed by the Trump administration. How will the new administration balance internet freedom with its other foreign policy goals? How should the United States promote internet freedom through its trade partnerships?

On June 14, the Center for Technology Innovation at Brookings hosted an event to explore the potential strategic and implementation changes that lie ahead in the area of internet freedom. A panel of experts discussed the potential impact on U.S. foreign policy initiatives, international relations, and the Trump administration’s goal of negotiating lower trade barriers for American companies.