Trade and the SDGs

Trade contributes to a number of SDGs, some of which are outlined below. Can you think of any other interrelation between trade and the SDGs?

Poverty Reduction (SDG1): trade increases real income, thereby increasing the likelihood that a household may be lifted out of poverty

Agriculture and Hunger (SDG2): trade substantially reduces price volatility by diversifying supply

Health (SDG3): facilitating  trade can result in improved handling of health-related products

Women (SDG5): through trade and increased industrial production often are entry points for women into the formal labor market and provide an independent income

Employment (SDG8): trade has a positive aggregate impact on welfare, which can lead to job creation

Infrastructure (SDG9): trade causes growth, investment in soft and hard infrastructure has an unambiguously positive impact on trade flows

Inequality (SDG10): increased developing country trade openness appears to have narrowed the development gap vis-a-vis developed countries

Consumption (SDG12): the free flow of goods and services internationally can encourage a transition toward more sustainable consumption and production patterns

Environment (SDG14&15): trade can address many issues related to land-based renewable natural resources, trade can be done in such a way that it supports the SDGs without harming the environment