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

The US, Canada and Mexico are staring down a 1 July deadline to decide the future of a long-standing North American free trade pact.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

Hoekstra echoed that sentiment, telling CTV that the future of North American free trade is in the hands of Trump and Carney.

From BBC • Jun. 29, 2026

It would help if Mexico and Canada displayed a deeper commitment to preserving and deepening continental free trade.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 28, 2026

SpaceX will sell limited stock, with $30 billion to $40 billion bought by Nasdaq 100 index funds, impacting free trade and future AI IPOs.

From Barron's • Jun. 3, 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