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

See Examples For:

free trade

Washington's planned 50-percent tariff on Canada also comes as US-Mexico talks over a North American free trade pact intensify.

From Barron's ● Jul. 21, 2026

Even the Manchester Ship Canal, the emblem of monopoly-breaking free trade, required local government intervention backed by the workers.

From BBC ● Jul. 17, 2026

New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon celebrated the signing in April of the free trade deal with the world's most populous nation, touting an export boom that would deliver jobs and investment in spades.

From Barron's ● Jul. 10, 2026

The first Treasury secretary backed tariffs mostly to raise revenue and promote free trade.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 8, 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