We need to follow the prophetic call for justice by supporting fair trade rather than free trade . At a minimum we need to establish and enforce serious labor rights clauses in trade agreements. We need a global right to organize, and a universal ban on child labor. In The Wealth of Nations , Adam Smith acknowledges that the ultimate goal of a business is to ensure the general welfare.
Profit is just the means to that end.
The institutions and structures that we create must serve us and help us to realize our full potential. The claim has been made that trade will improve the life of the poor. We can only ensure that by carefully managing our trade, our investments, and our laws. It will not happen on its own. This one's obvious.