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Showing results for trade barriers. Search instead for Trade+Barriers.

trade barriers

Cultural  
  1. Tariffs, import quotas, customs regulations, and other disincentives meant to discourage international trade.


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Trade barriers are usually protectionist; that is, they are erected to protect domestic producers who would not be able to compete successfully with foreign producers in a free market or in free trade.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Automakers warn that higher trade barriers with Canada and Mexico could elevate car prices and disrupt supply chains.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 21, 2026

The EU has long relied upon subsidies and redistribution to assuage the impact from disruptions caused by reducing internal trade barriers, as well as to help integrate poorer nations as the bloc has expanded east.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

"We're making a sovereign choice to agree deals to reduce trade barriers - where Parliament gets to have a say," a Labour source said.

From BBC • Apr. 13, 2026

One implication of these trade barriers, which include tariffs, is that they distort pricing mechanisms in the market.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 23, 2026

The United States and Oman had just completed negotiations on a free-trade agreement to eliminate tariffs and trade barriers between the two nations.

From "The World Is Flat" by Thomas L. Friedman

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