Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

trade barriers

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


Discover More

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.

But trade barriers will make it more appealing to invest in solar elsewhere.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 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

"Wars, geopolitical tensions, trade barriers, tighter regulation, and intense competition are creating headwinds," he said.

From Barron's • Apr. 30, 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

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

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Look it up. Learn it forever.

Remember "trade barriers" for good with VocabTrainer. Expand your vocabulary effortlessly with personalized learning tools that adapt to your goals.

Take me to Vocabulary.com