How does sustainable development fit into trade policy?
Trade can (and should) contribute to economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability. But liberalisation can also have negative environmental and social effects. Trade policy is an area in which decision-makers are expected to deal with complex clusters of issues, sometimes with conflicting objectives. International bodies such as the United Nations or the WTO recognise that trade can and should contribute to growth in ways that dovetail with the requirement of good governance and sustainable development principles. Trade opening can promote sustainable development. It can create opportunities for economic growth, for social development, for instance, through boosting employment for women in the tourism sector, or the environment, through better use of environmental resources. But liberalisation can lead to negative environmental or social impacts, particularly if the domestic regulatory framework is not properly geared up to it. The challenge is to maximise the po
