An embargo is a government-imposed ban on all trade (imports or exports) with a specific country or group of countries.

• Embargoes are often used for political or economic reasons, such as to protest human rights violations or to pressure a country into changing its policies.
• They limit market access and can harm businesses and consumers in both the imposing country and the targeted country by reducing economic opportunities.

Embargoes act as a strong form of non-tariff barrier and protectionism.