trade surplus

American  

[treyd sur-pluhs, -pluhs] / ˈtreɪd ˌsɜr plʌs, -pləs /

noun

Economics.

1. a positive balance of trade, or the amount by which the value of a country’s exports exceeds that of its imports.

---

Etymology

Origin of trade surplus

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

The country's trade surplus has been hammered, narrowing to just $89 million in April, from $3.3 billion a month before, further reducing dollar supply in the Indonesian market, Josua said.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Brazil noted that the U.S. has run a trade surplus, rather than a deficit, with the country for the last 15 years.

From Barron's • Jun. 2, 2026

Imports expanded 20.8% to $60.80 billion, resulting in a $26.95 billion trade surplus; vehicle and steel exports fell.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 1, 2026

The eurozone’s seasonally adjusted trade surplus narrowed in March compared with the prior month, likely reflecting an increase in the cost of imported energy as the conflict in the Middle East disrupted supplies.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 19, 2026

The   island runs a trade surplus, and foreign reserves are the world's   third largest.

From The 2007 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency