Should the nation link human rights to international trade?

A nation may use its policies on international trade to try to influence the policies of foreign governments regarding human rights.

Pro: Restrictions on international trade can be a powerful tool for bringing about improvement in the treatment of a people by a particular government. Failure to link the rewards of foreign trade with the regard for human rights might encourage foreign leaders to continue oppressing their people.

Con: International trade is important in itself, quite apart from ethical issues. Governments only have responsibilities for the people over which they have authority. They should not sacrifice the commercial success of their nations for intended benefits to people in other countries—benefits that might be fleeting and are in any case often difficult to verify and measure.

Con: The rights of individuals are best defined within societies in which those individuals live. Nations ought not to involve themselves with the internal affairs of other nations. Some of the liberties that our nation chooses to protect may not be of value in another country.