What are trade sanctions?

Trade sanctions are specific penalties or restrictive measures imposed by one country (or group of countries) against another in order to influence its actions or policies. These sanctions are typically used as a tool of foreign policy to address concerns such as human rights violations, aggression, or nuclear proliferation. Sanctions can take various forms, including economic restrictions, trade barriers, or asset freezes, and their primary purpose is to compel the targeted country to change its behavior without resorting to military action.

The other options describe concepts that differ from the definition of trade sanctions. Incentives for improving trade relations refer to positive measures taken to foster trade, whereas trade sanctions represent negative repercussions. Agreements to increase trade volume suggest collaborative efforts to boost economic activity between nations, contrasting with the punitive aspect of sanctions. Finally, guidelines for ethical trade practices focus on setting standards for conduct in trade rather than enforcing penalties or influencing governmental decisions.