Embargoes aren't used much anymore. Countries use tariffs. Which the US has shown are actually quite effective against China, because China has a legitimate fear of competitors springing up elsewhere since once they exist they may continue to exist even after the tariffs are gone.

So they respond by devaluing their currency to remain competitive even against the tariffs, which is equivalent to paying the tariffs rather than passing the cost on to the customers. But then your own citizens don't feel the pinch from the tariffs and you can maintain them indefinitely, or even increase them, until you get what you're asking for.

That assumes you're a large enough player to get them to respond that way, but smaller players can form coalitions.

Ask Australia about China's recent embargo, and then argue that embargoes aren't used anymore.

>I don’t know what a China embargo would look like, but I know that any first world government who tried it would find themselves promptly removed from power and a newer Chinese friendly government installed amongst rabid cries for new iPhones and gadgets.

Bingo.

I mean, right this minute we're all ignoring a literal concentration camp in China in the name of not upsetting our supply of cheap gadgets. Good luck getting support over something less tangible.

"China embargo" could be replaced with many other terms. Here's another to try on for size:

> I don’t know what a Global Warming Plan would look like, but I know that any first world government who tried it would find themselves promptly removed from power and a newer consumer/polluter friendly government installed amongst rabid cries for new iPhones and maintaining current niceties of life.