Which of the following best describes an embargo's primary purpose?

Which of the following best describes an embargo's primary purpose?

• A. To strengthen trade relations
• B. To encourage travel
• C. To stop trade for political reasons
• D. To increase exports

Answer: (C)

An embargo is primarily a government-imposed restriction that prevents trade with a specific country or the exchange of certain goods and services, and its main purpose is to achieve political objectives. By stopping trade, a government may seek to pressure another nation to change certain behaviors or policies that are deemed objectionable, such as human rights violations or military aggression. In essence, it serves as a tool for foreign policy, aimed at isolating a country economically and diplomatically to achieve a desired outcome without resorting to military action. The other options do not capture this core function of an embargo. Strengthening trade relations directly contradicts the very nature of an embargo, as it halts trade rather than promoting it. Encouraging travel is unrelated to the economic or political objectives of an embargo, since it typically focuses on restricting trade rather than facilitating movement of individuals. Increasing exports also stands in stark contrast to an embargo, as it involves promoting trade activities, which an embargo actively seeks to hinder.

An embargo is primarily a government-imposed restriction that prevents trade with a specific country or the exchange of certain goods and services, and its main purpose is to achieve political objectives. By stopping trade, a government may seek to pressure another nation to change certain behaviors or policies that are deemed objectionable, such as human rights violations or military aggression. In essence, it serves as a tool for foreign policy, aimed at isolating a country economically and diplomatically to achieve a desired outcome without resorting to military action.

The other options do not capture this core function of an embargo. Strengthening trade relations directly contradicts the very nature of an embargo, as it halts trade rather than promoting it. Encouraging travel is unrelated to the economic or political objectives of an embargo, since it typically focuses on restricting trade rather than facilitating movement of individuals. Increasing exports also stands in stark contrast to an embargo, as it involves promoting trade activities, which an embargo actively seeks to hinder.