What is an order of a government prohibiting the movement of trade goods into or out of its ports?

The correct answer is an embargo. An embargo is a government order that prohibits the movement of trade goods into or out of the country's ports. This measure is typically enacted for political reasons, often to exert pressure on another nation or to protect national security interests. By halting trade, an embargo can severely affect the economy of the targeted country and signal disapproval of its actions or policies.

In contrast, a blockade involves military action to prevent ships from entering or leaving a port but is generally more aggressive in nature than an embargo. Impressment refers to the act of forcibly recruiting individuals, usually into military service, particularly in naval contexts. Import tax, while related to trade, is a fee imposed by a government on goods brought into the country but does not prohibit their movement; rather, it regulates it through financial means.