Did Countries set up blockades to help strengthen trade relations.?

When it comes to international trading and trade agreements, the term blockade is not appropriate. Generally speaking a "blockade" is a naval term used in a wartime situation. For example, if the British in the days of its wars with Napoleon, wished to curtail supplies to enter or leave French ports, the British could try to use warships to blockade French ports.When it comes to trade relations among nations, a "tariff" may be imposed on the importation of foreign merchandise, as an example. This is a tax that the exporting nation would pay to have their products imported to their trading partner. Generally speaking, this is done to protect home industries and make their products less expensive than the imported ones. When a foreign product is popular enough in another nation, the exporting country either absorbs the cost of the tariff or raises the price of their products in order to maintain their profit margins.

Speaking in general terms, tariffs may on a short time basis help home country industries. On a long term basis however, it creates a liability as countries may then become involved in placing tariffs and taxes to the point where foreign trade is heavily impaired. Normally a free trade environment helps businesses and national economies to grow and provides products to citizens at their true market value.