A trade embargo is a complete or partial ban on trade with a specific country, typically imposed for political, security, or human rights reasons rather than economic ones. Embargoes are the most extreme form of trade barrier.
What Is a Trade Embargo? A trade embargo is a government-imposed prohibition on trade with a particular country. It may ban all commerce — imports and exports alike — or target specific goods, sectors, or entities. Unlike tariffs and quotas , which are primarily economic tools, embargoes are typically imposed for political, national security, or human rights reasons. They are the most extreme form of trade barrier . Key Takeaways A trade embargo is a complete or partial ban on trade with a speci