For the data center and cloud industries, digital trade provisions and data transfer regulations in FTAs are key variables.
The global cloud market is projected to grow by an average of 10% annually (to $1.5 trillion) between 2025 and 2026, and new agreements such as the DEPA and IPEF are expanding, encompassing data sovereignty, AI regulations, and cybersecurity
. Korea explicitly addresses data transfer and digital services in its Korea-EU and Korea-US FTAs, and cloud localization, GDPR, and RE100 power procurement directly impact future export competitiveness.
Risk factors | 2025-2026 Outlook | Influence (1~5) | Implications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data transfer restrictions | GDPR and China's CSL Continue to Strengthen | 5 | Standardization of norms through DEPA and IPEF is necessary. |
| Energy Costs/RE100 | Expanding power supply and carbon emissions regulations | 4 | Establishment of PUE and carbon reduction certification |
| Cybersecurity and Personal Information | Strengthening ISO27001 and SOC2 requirements | 5 | Need to secure international certification in parallel |
| Digital Tax (DST) | Continued imposition of independence by country | 3 | Double taxation risk until OECD agreement |
| AI computation demand | HPC and GPU investment surges | 3 | Eco-friendly data center competitiveness is important. |
Data centers and cloud computing are subject to FTAs, focusing on digital services rather than traditional tariff items .
The DEPA, Korea-EU, and IPEF agreements provide practical benefits in areas such as data transfer, e-commerce, mutual recognition of security certifications, and access to procurement .
field | FTA applicability | Major challenges | Management Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cloud services | Data norms within DEPA and IPEF | Differences in personal information laws by country | Parallel GDPR and CBPR certification |
| IDC construction and operation | Utilizing CEPA and Procurement Chapters | RE100·Environmental Impact Assessment | ESG·RE100 Procurement Standardization |
| SaaS·AI services | Korea-EU·DEPA | Tax and Data Transfer | Utilizing international tax consultative bodies |
| Security and Authentication Services | Korea-US-IPEF | Mutual recognition discrepancy | ISO27001·SOC2·GDPR compliance |
Cloud regulations vary across major markets, with differing data sovereignty and energy regulations.
Utilizing FTAs can significantly reduce redundant costs related to power procurement, data transfer, and security certification.
market | Major regulations | Data transfer | Electricity and Carbon Policy | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | Free Transfer and CLOUD Act | allowance | RE100 Private Sector-Centered | Open Market, SaaS Expansion Advantage |
| EU | GDPR·AI Act | Limited, requires appropriateness | CBAM and energy tax | PUE·LCA required |
| china | CSL·Data Security Act | Disallow or approve | Local power dependence | Establishment of local DC is essential |
| japan | CBPR·OECD standards | Free transfer | Relaxation of PUE standards | DEPA Partners Facilitate Mutual Recognition |
| UAE | Includes CEPA data provisions | Limited permission | Renewable Power Incentives | Korea-UAE CEPA Practical Cooperation Possible |
Data centers, as a high-power industry, are directly subject to strengthened ESG regulations.
The EU is expected to require a PUE of 1.2 or lower and a renewable energy ratio of at least 80% starting in 2026.
System/Issue | Core requirements | Influence (1~5) | react |
|---|---|---|---|
| RE100 | Mandatory 100% renewable electricity | 5 | PPA·ESS linked procurement |
| CBAM | Indirect impact of ICT equipment | 3 | Supply Chain LCA Management |
| ESG procurement | Disclosure of energy efficiency and emission indicators | 4 | Establishing an ESG reporting and carbon accounting system |
| Data Center Environment Certification | EU Code of Conduct | 4 | Maintain ISO50001·PUE 1.3 or lower |
| AI computing power | GPU computing power surge | 3 | Review of high-efficiency cooling and hydrogen power generation linkage |
Korea: Building RE100-type data center clusters in the metropolitan area and Yeongnam region (Naver, Kakao, SKC&C).
EU: Rising energy costs drive demand for low-carbon IDCs.
UAE and Saudi Arabia: Fostering CEPA-based renewable energy data hubs.
ASEAN: Rapid increase in IDC construction in Vietnam, Indonesia, and Malaysia.
US: Expanding hyperscale and cloud-native services.
Integrated analysis of AI news sentiment (α), global cloud CAPEX (β), and sector sentiment (λ).
The data center and cloud industries are expected to maintain moderate growth in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven by increased investment in AI computing and RE100 .
variable | Δ(%) or exponent | analysis |
|---|---|---|
| ΔExport_now | +3.1 | Increase in overseas cloud service exports |
| ΔImport_now | +1.8 | Increased adoption of equipment and SaaS |
| ΔPrice_now | +0.5 | Rising electricity costs and GPU prices |
| ΔSignal_now | +0.040 | Positive news and strengthening investor sentiment |
| ΔFTAEffect | +0.38 | Effects of DEPA and CEPA provisions |
| Forecast_3M | +0.63 | A gradual upward trend continues for three months |
Formula (summary): Forecast_3M = 0.5·ΔSignal + 0.3·ΔFTAEffect + 0.2·ΔPrice
field | Suggestion | Executor | Expected effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Data transfer standards | Promoting standardization within DEPA and IPEF | Trade Headquarters and Ministry of Science and ICT | Mitigating international trade risks |
| RE100·Carbon Management | Expanding PPA and ESS-based incentives | Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and Korea Electric Power Corporation | Reduce IDC operating costs |
| Cloud Authentication | Establishment of an integrated international security certification system | KISA·KCS | Strengthening access to procurement markets |
| AI computation infrastructure | Support for low-power GPU and cooling innovations | Ministry of Science and ICT and Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy | Improved power efficiency |
| Overseas expansion | CEPA-based Middle East Data Hub Cooperation | KOTRA·Industrial Bank of Korea | Expanding export markets |
The data center and cloud industries continue to grow, driven by the FTA's digital trade, procurement, and ESG standards .
Forecast_3M: +0.63 — Reflecting the effects of DEPA and CEPA and RE100 power transition demand.
Recommended strategies: ① Unification of DEPA and IPEF standards ② Securing RE100 and ESG certification ③ Responding to global security certification and GDPR ④ Entering the Middle East and ASEAN IDC hub.
