balance of trade

[ bal-uhns uhv treyd ]

noun

, Economics.

1. the difference between the values of the exports and imports of a country, said to be favorable when exports are greater, and unfavorable when imports are greater. trade deficit ( def ), trade surplus ( def ).

balance of trade

noun

1. economics the difference in value between total exports and total imports of goods Also calledvisible balance Compare invisible balance

balance of trade

1. That part of the balance of payments relating to goods only (as opposed to services , monetary movements, official reserve transactions, etc.).

Notes

A nation whose imports are worth more than its exports is said to have an unfavorable balance of trade, or to be running a trade deficit .

Word History and Origins

Origin of balance of trade¹

First recorded in 1660–70

Example Sentences

But the balance of trade, in most cases, favours China massively.

From BBC

It has been under pressure all year from Russia's shrinking balance of trade, as export revenues fall and imports rebound, dropping around 28% year-to-date from levels near 70 to the dollar.

From Reuters

From January to May, the positive balance of trade soared by 39.1% compared to the same period last year, reaching $35.3 billion.

From Reuters

Allen said the Trump-era tariffs were large in terms of dollars, but they had almost no affect on the balance of trade.

From Seattle Times

But Dar’s policies have a lot of critics, who say he ensured the rupee remained over-valued and hurt the balance of trade.

From Reuters

Related Words

• balance of payments
• trade deficit