multilateral embargo

A multilateral embargo is a legal prohibition by a group of governments that restricts the movement of goods to or from one or more countries. These embargoes can be broad, affecting all commerce, or narrow, targeting specific items like military goods or oil. They are used as a tool of economic warfare for various political reasons, such as demonstrating resolve, retaliating for actions, or compelling a country to change its behavior.1

Multilateral embargoes are most effective when all capable nations cooperate, as a targeted country can circumvent them by acquiring goods from third parties. Critics argue that embargoes can disproportionately harm the general population of the targeted country rather than its leadership and can sometimes worsen conflicts or damage international relations.12