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 Word Forms

• free-trade adjective
• prefree-trade adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of free trade¹

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

Europe, where a free trade agreement with India is in the works, also has potential for exporters, Mr Raghavan said.

From BBC

The tax hike was in retaliation to the US tariffs on Canada, which as of August are valued at 35% on all goods not compliant with the countries' existing free trade deal.

From BBC

Xu likened the US to a "bully", saying that it had long benefitted from free trade but was now using tariffs as a "bargaining chip" to demand "exorbitant prices" from other nations.

From BBC

He’s also seeding more self-reliance manufacturing, re-targeting billions into Canadian manufacturing investments as he approaches other nations where “free trade is a commitment, not a condition.”

From Salon

A coroner has highlighted concerns over an "unchecked, open and free trade" of drugs at a festival after the death of a 22-year-old man.

From BBC