Collocations International relations
Trade
facilitate/​regulate trade (with other countries)
form/​join a trading bloc
live in/​compete in a global/​the world economy
support/​promote free trade
adopt/​call for/​oppose protectionist measures
erect/​impose/​reduce/​remove trade barriers
impose/​lift/​raise/​eliminate import tariffs (on something)
have/​run a huge/​large/​growing trade surplus/​deficit
embrace/​resist/​drive globalization
Politics and law
conduct/​handle/​talk about/​discuss foreign policy
pursue an aggressive/​a hawkish foreign policy
require/​use/​conduct diplomacy
establish/​break off/​sever/​restore diplomatic relations
foster/​promote/​strengthen regional cooperation
facilitate/​achieve economic/​political integration
exercise/​defend/​protect/​transfer/​restore/​regain national/​state/​full/​limited sovereignty
consolidate/​extend/​lose/​retain your power (in the region)
hold/​maintain/​change/​alter/​shift/​be a shift in the balance of power (in the region)
cause/​create/​open/​expose/​heal/​repair a deep/​growing/​major/​serious rift between X and Y
Meetings and agreements
have/​hold/​host/​attend an international conference/​an economic forum/​a G20 summit
launch a new round of global/​multilateral/​world trade negotiations
send/​head/​lead/​meet a high-level/​an official/​a trade delegation
begin/​start/​continue/​resume peace talks
be committed to/​be opposed to/​disrupt/​undermine/​derail/​sabotage the peace process
negotiate/​achieve a lasting political settlement
broker/​sign a peace deal/​agreement/​treaty
Conflict
be/​constitute/​pose a threat to global security
compromise/​endanger/​protect national security
justify/​be in favour of/ (US English) be in favor of/​be against military intervention
threaten/​authorize/​launch/​take/​support/​oppose unilateral/​pre-emptive military action
impose/​enforce/​lift/​end economic sanctions/​an arms embargo/​a naval blockade
close/​protect/​secure/​patrol the border
lead/​be involved in a peacekeeping operation
Aid
negotiate/​announce a $15 billion aid package/​an economic stimulus package
send/​provide/​request/​cut off military aid
bring/​provide emergency/​humanitarian relief
deliver/​distribute medical supplies/(British English) food parcels/(North American English)food packages
fund/​run a foreign/​a local/​an international NGO
reduce/​eradicate child/​global/​world poverty