Digital trade benefits producers an

Digital trade benefits producers and consumers. Products and services delivered viathe Internet make up a growing segment of the U.S. economy. These products andservices are changing the way people and businesses interact with information andcommunicate with one another. The Internet and Internet technologies (also referred to asdigital technologies in this report) benefit producers through improved logisticsmanagement, more efficient supply chain management, lower production costs, andimproved efficiency in their business operations. Small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs), in particular, benefit from having lower-cost access to a wider range of products,services, and markets. Digital technologies benefit consumers through improved access toproducts and services, wider product choice, and new, more convenient channels forservice delivery. Both producers and consumers can benefit from the development andapplication of new digital technologies as producers gain greater ability to supply goodsand services tailored to customer preferences (table ES.1).