A nuanced look at the world shows there is such a thing as "soft power" and economic clout.
I think that's a lie that the democracy-interfering CIA peddle to you (they all work in major TV news now if you didn't notice). Of course they want you to believe that they don't interfere with democratic elections in the US or other countries, but we know they do. The morally bankrupt can sleep easier by believing the lie that its "soft power".
I completely agree that consumers (and by extension governments) have great power to influence change. If one supplier is guilty of abuses, and this becomes known through watchdog organizations, the pressure is on that supplier to change or lose business to a competitor who is willing to conform to norms.
Empty words. For some things there are not multiple suppliers - the economics demand the cheapest, not the most ethically sourced, and the supply is inherently dangerous to those involved. The choice consumers get to make is which system their dollars go to support.
Of course they are given misinformation, there's $$$ on the line.