retaliatory measures
Retaliatory measures, or reprisal, is a term used in international law to describe the use of diplomatic measures or force adopted by a State in response to a similar use of force exercised by another State.
Retaliatory measures are unfriendly but lawful under international law principles; they do not violate any international obligation of the State. They are taken by a State in response to unfriendly behavior, whether the initial behavior is legal or not. A retaliatory measure means that a State adopts a measure that is intrinsically lawful and in conformity with international law.
The most common example is the rupture of diplomatic relations in response to another measure taken by another State. Retaliatory measures can be embargoes, suspension or breakdown of economic or diplomatic relations, withdrawal of an embassy, etc.
The tit-for-tat tariffs between China and the United States during the Trump presidency are an example of retaliatory measures.
See also: retaliation
[Last reviewed in April of 2022 by the Wex Definitions Team]
Wex