free trade

noun

1. trade between countries, free from governmental restrictions or duties.
2. international trade free from protective duties and subject only to such tariffs as are needed for revenue.
3. the system, principles, or maintenance of such trade.
4. Chiefly Scot. smuggling.

free trade

noun

1. international trade that is free of such government interference as import quotas, export subsidies, protective tariffs, etc Compare protection
2. archaic.
   illicit trade; smuggling

free trade

1. Unrestricted trade among nations without government tariffs or customs duties on imports.

Other Words From

• free-trade adjective
• prefree-trade adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of free trade¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Argentinian media previously reported that Milei would be seeking a free trade agreement with the United States once Trump took office.

From BBC

Chancellor Rachel Reeves and Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey have both said they will continue to make the argument for free trade.

From BBC

Asked about the prospect of tariffs, Chancellor Rachel Reeves said UK-US trade benefitted both economies, and British ministers would “continue to make the case for open and free trade”.

From BBC

Unlike a Harris administration, they would likely offer the UK a free trade deal, but it seems unlikely the terms of it would tempt London to sign up.

From BBC

The Republican's platform has shifted America - once a global champion of free trade - towards an embrace of policies that are designed to protect US companies and jobs from foreign competition, despite the potential economic drawbacks.

From BBC