The Ethics of International Trade
Playstations and petroleum. Food and furniture. Clothing and cars. International trade makes these items ready and available to the vast majority of the world, and at affordable prices despite the need to import many of these things (or their components) from other countries. International trade lets Americans buy and enjoy products that we can’t necessarily make or find for ourselves in the United States. It can stimulate the economy, create jobs, and generate new and improved products for the world market. International trade can, however, have the opposite effect if left unregulated and unchecked, harming the economy, removing jobs, and creating poor products. Even if such trade is helping the economy, it can result in benefit at the cost of an ethical high ground. Other countries can have significantly less stringent laws regarding trade and work, resulting in significant violations in ethics that leave any economic gain tainted. In a perfect world, international trade would be equal between all countries and inherently beneficial to all involved. Unfortunately, that is not the case. From the items being sold, to the types of labor, to work conditions and unfair subsidies, international trade is rife with ethical land mines, many of which have an adverse effect on the American and global economy.
Not all trade involves such innocent items as iPods and perfume. The World Health Organization issued guidelines in 1991 to keep organ donors from participating in a highly exploitative black market organ trade. 192 countries endorsed it, including the United States, but at least one country, Iran, still has a legal system in place to trade human organs. Questions have been raised even in America ...