Trade policy can have adverse effects on health.
For example, tariff barriers can limit opportunities for economic growth and thus impair health, particularly in developing countries. On the other hand, liberalisation of trade reinforces pressures to minimise costs and can thus impair health, particularly in developing countries, through poor working conditions, low wages and worker exploitation, environmental pollution and suppression of human rights. The social and health implications of Australia's trade policies require more public discussion. Regulation of international trade should be directed at enhancing development of healthy societies and healthy economies on national, regional and global levels. A healthy society is one where the people are healthy.