Trade policies significantly affect international relations by shaping economic ties between countries. Favorable trade agreements can strengthen alliances, promote economic cooperation, and enhance national security, while protective tariffs may lead to tensions or retaliatory measures. Nations often use trade as a tool for diplomacy, influencing other states to align with their interests. Additionally, trade can lead to interdependence, which may stabilize relationships; however, it may also create vulnerabilities, depending on the economic leverage of dominant powers. Thus, trade policies are integral to the dynamics of global politics.