Trade tends to raise incomes and welfare in all countries independent of where their comparative advantages lie. Moreover, many determinants of trade patterns are outside the reach of policy (e.g. geography) or the outcome of region-specific preferences (e.g. towards privacy). Hence, even if regulation can influence comparative advantage, it is not optimal to strive for a comparative advantage in a particular sector but rather to take comparative advantage as given and create an environment where this advantage can thrive.