The Law and Policy of the World Trade Organization Text, Cases, and Materials

The promotion and protection of public health, consumer safety, the environment, employment, economic development, public morals, public order, and national security are core tasks of governments. Often, trade liberalisation and the resulting availability of better and cheaper products and services facilitate the promotion and protection of these and other societal values and interests. Through trade, environmentally friendly products, or life-saving medicines, that would not be available otherwise, become available to consumers and patients, respectively. At a more general level, trade generates the degree of economic activity and economic welfare that enables governments effectively to promote and protect the societal values and interests referred to above.