free trade

American  

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.

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free trade British  

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

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free trade Cultural  

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

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• free-trade
  adjective
• prefree-trade
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of free trade

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

And the power of empires, which depend on free trade, is threatened.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

The trio are in the middle of a challenging review of a landmark North American free trade agreement, known as the USMCA.

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

But his government has maintained it wants as much free trade with the United States as possible.

From Barron's • May 28, 2026

With uncertainty looming over the future of free trade in North America, Carney has sought to rewire an economy that has long relied on deepening economic integration with the U.S.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 28, 2026

The agent poured himself a cup of free trade coffee from the wheezing pot, took a sip, and frowned.

From "Beauty Queens" by Libba Bray