fair trade

¹ American  

noun

1. trade carried on under a fair-trade agreement.

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fair-trade ² American  

[fair-treyd] / ˈfɛərˈtreɪd /

verb (used with object)

fair-traded, fair-trading

1. to sell (a commodity) under a fair-trade agreement.

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verb (used without object)

fair-traded, fair-trading

1. to sell a commodity under a fair-trade agreement.

adjective

1. subject to or resulting from a fair-trade agreement.

   fair-trade items; fair-trade prices.

fair trade British  

noun

1. 1. the practice of directly benefiting producers in the developing world by buying straight from them at a guaranteed price

   2. ( as modifier )

      fair-trade coffee

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Other Word Forms

• fair-trader noun

Etymology

Origin of fair trade¹

First recorded in 1715–25

Origin of fair-trade²

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

“President Trump seeks a stable peace, fair trade, and respectful relations with China,” an unclassified version of the document declares.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

While this viral exercise is extreme, Link noted that some workers may consider a small pay cut to work remotely as a fair trade.

From MarketWatch • Dec. 24, 2025

But in an unsigned letter addressed to the US trade representative, Tesla said while it "supports" fair trade it was concerned US exporters were "exposed to disproportionate impacts" if other countries retaliated to tariffs.

From BBC • Mar. 14, 2025

We want to “make in the USA” and insist on fair trade agreements with other countries, with real access to their markets to sell American products.

From Salon • Feb. 9, 2025

“Hardly a fair trade, is it? A head full of coppery curls in return for a living boy? A son?”

From "Son" by Lois Lowry