Economic Definition of embargo. Defined.
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Term embargo Definition: In general, any sort of restriction on foreign trade, in practice, the restriction of exports destined for sale in another country. Unlike tariffs, import quotas, and other nontariff barriers that protect domestic producers from competition, embargoes are intended to punish the export destination country. One of the more famous embargoes in recent decades was the oil embargo that several middle-eastern countries imposed on the United States in the 1970s. This caused higher gasoline prices in the United States, created all sorts of havoc for our economy, and pretty much achieved the punishment objective. The United States is also prone to throw up an embargo here or there when another country acts against our political wishes.
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