free trader

American

Or free-trader

noun

a person who advocates free trade.

free-trader British

noun

a person who supports or advocates free trade
archaic a smuggler or smuggling vessel

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of free trader

First recorded in 1690–1700; free trade + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

He is also—contrary to Trump as well as some of his rivals in the upcoming primaries, notably Sen. Bernie Sanders—an unabashed free trader.

From Slate • May 2, 2019

He also calls himself a free trader who wants to eliminate tariffs altogether as well as industry subsidies and non-tariff trade barriers across countries.

From The Wall Street Journal • Aug. 25, 2018

Corchado, a budding free trader, is optimistic that American democracy and rule of law will boost both countries.

From Washington Post • Jun. 27, 2018

Moreover, Mr. Kudlow is an ardent free trader and was openly critical of Mr. Trump’s position on trade during the campaign, even as he enthusiastically backed the candidate.

From New York Times • Dec. 16, 2016

"No wheat will ever be grown at that price," declared the free trader with solemnity, "here or abroad!"

From The Great House by Weyman, Stanley John

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023