Which is NOT a method of practicing protectionism?

Free trade agreements are designed to promote international trade by reducing or eliminating barriers, such as tariffs and quotas, between participating countries. They aim to foster cooperation and increase economic integration, allowing for a more open exchange of goods and services.

In contrast, the other methods listed—import quotas, tariffs/custom duties, and embargoes—are all tools used by governments to restrict or control the flow of imported goods. Import quotas limit the quantity of a certain product that can be brought into a country, tariffs impose taxes on imports to make foreign goods more expensive and less competitive, and embargoes completely prohibit trade with particular countries, often for political reasons.

By facilitating trade rather than restricting it, free trade agreements represent an approach that is fundamentally at odds with protectionism. This distinction is crucial in understanding how different trade policies operate and their implications for international commerce.