A "trade embargo" means a government decision to stop or restrict trade with another country. It is a way to impose economic sanctions and prevent goods and services from being exchanged between the countries involved. Full definition
The arrival opens a new era of U.S. - Cuba travel with about 300 flights a week connecting the U.S. with an island cut off from most Americans by the 55 - year - old trade embargo on Cuba and formal ban on U.S. citizens engaging in tourism on the island. (sandiegouniontribune.com)
Non-preferential rules of origin are used for other commercial reasons, such as regulating labeling of goods and the monitoring of trade embargoes. (edc.trade)
Thus questions of whether, for example, Barack Obama has the authority to end a decades - long trade embargo against Cuba do not have clear - cut answers. (firstthings.com)