The McKinsey Global Institute estimates that e-commerce accounts for 12% of global trade of physical goods, both business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C or retail) sales. The U.S. International Trade Commission reports global e-commerce totaled over $27 trillion in 2016, with B2B comprising over 85% of that total. Other studies show 1.8 billion people globally purchased goods online in 2018, and 57% of online buyers purchase from foreign sellers. Nevertheless, certain foreign trade policies, infrastructure inconsistencies, and the lack of globally enforceable rules potentially hinder further e-commerce growth both globally and within U.S. borders.
International Trade and E-commerce
