What does a quota regulate in terms of international trade?

A quota serves as a regulatory measure in international trade that specifically imposes numerical limits on the quantity of specific kinds of goods that can be imported into a country during a designated time period. This regulatory tool is used primarily to protect domestic industries from foreign competition by controlling the volume of imports, thus allowing local producers to compete more effectively.

For instance, if a government establishes a quota of 5,000 tons of steel imports per year, it limits foreign suppliers to that amount, regardless of market demand. By doing so, it can help stabilize local market prices and ensure that domestic manufacturers have a fair opportunity to sell their products.

The other options do not accurately define the function of a quota. For example, while quality and price considerations are important in trade, they are not what quotas regulate. Additionally, tariffs are a separate mechanism altogether, involving duties imposed on foreign goods rather than quantity restrictions. Hence, quotas are strictly about limiting the number of certain goods allowed into a market, making the identification of numerical limitations the correct answer.