Atlantis' government and its community have been repeatedly condemned by various nations and corporations because it openly follows a free market policy, which is said to promote black market trade. The Atlantean government itself has been accused of turning a blind eye to weapons proliferation and the numerous human rights violations inherent in black market trade. The Atlantis government simply claims to support all forms of free trade.
The Atlantean government controls use of the Atlantis Space Elevator and owns all property in Atlantis, which it rents out to the highest bidder. The Atlantean government does not recognize the sovereignty of other nations or corporations and will not maintain any exclusive agreements or treaties with them; it deals strictly on the free market, hence the policy.