Public–Private Relationships In Trade Policy-Making At The National Level

While there have been multifaceted efforts to enhance transparency, and engage private actors in trade policy-making at the international level, it has been emphasized that it is the Member governments that must take primary responsibility in developing public–private relationships with regard to domestic decision-making procedures in trade policy. Scholars and trade experts have also highlighted the importance of national trade policy-making and governments’ efforts to engage private actors in the decision-making process, because enhancing legitimacy in such a way is necessary to maintain social cohesion and broad support for trade policy. Wolfe has stated that “trade policy democracy begins at home, not in Geneva”, and “consultations with citizens and economic actors are a fundamental part of making good trade policy…”