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

• free-trade adjective
• prefree-trade adjective

Etymology

Origin of free trade

First recorded in 1600–10

Example Sentences

It completed three long-gestating free trade agreements within the past three months: with South America’s Mercosur bloc, India and Australia.

From Barron's • Mar. 30, 2026

The European Union and Australia reopened discussions on a free trade agreement last year after talks stalled in 2023.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 23, 2026

There is an old maxim in trade theory that says free trade is the strategy of the confident.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

"Gone are the days of development partnerships, free trade, multilateralism, and even basic reciprocity," Dussel said.

From BBC • Mar. 6, 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