In an attempt to strike back at the British blockading France, Napoleon forbade all trade with Britain by the French and their allies/protectorates. This did far more damage to his empire than to Britains, turning states against him, damaging the economy, and eventually drawing France into its most disastrous campaigns in Iberia and Russia.
Was not issuing his Berlin and Milan decrees just not an option? The embargo was largely ineffective against the British, so would Napoleon have been better served just securing his position on the Continent post Fourth Coalition than trying to strike back at the British?