trade surplus

American  

[treyd sur-pluhs, -pluhs] / ˈtreɪd ˌsɜr plʌs, -pləs /

noun

Economics.

1. a positive balance of trade, or the amount by which the value of a country’s exports exceeds that of its imports.

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Etymology

Origin of trade surplus

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

In the first three quarters of 2025, the EU recorded a trade surplus in goods of €104.3 billion, with extra-EU exports of €1,986.7 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal

Her family warehouse is a crucial part of a shadow logistic network that has powered China’s trade surplus past $1 trillion for the first time this year.

From The Wall Street Journal

Earlier this month, China reported a record $1 trillion trade surplus for the first 11 months of the year, underscoring the country’s export dominance despite U.S. tariffs.

From The Wall Street Journal

China’s trade surplus in goods for the first 11 months of 2025, the only time any nation topped $1 trillion.

From Barron's

China’s trade surplus in goods for the first 11 months of 2025, the only time any nation topped $1 trillion.

From Barron's