Can global trade rules cope with changing nutrition challenges?

Abstract

Malnutrition remains a global challenge and is hampering the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals. At the United Nations, governments have committed to taking action on food systems and nutrition. Government intervention in this space will necessarily intersect trade and health policy. This Practitioner Commentary considers the implications for policymakers in the trade and health communities. We argue that there is an opportunity for ‘soft guidance’ to play an important role in helping governments navigate potential tensions between trade and nutrition policies.