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

China’s trade surplus stood at $105.4 billion in May, higher than April’s $84.82 billion and the $86.8 billion projected by the economists.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

Imports rose 1.2 percent in April from a month earlier, and the trade surplus stood at 14.5 billion euros.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

China’s trade surplus reached $105.4 billion in May, surpassing April’s $84.82 billion and economists’ $86.8 billion projection.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 9, 2026

The country's trade surplus has been hammered, narrowing to just $89 million in April, from $3.3 billion a month before, further reducing dollar supply in the Indonesian market, Josua said.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Only a fraction of the outstanding amounts could have been liquidated through Albania's trade surplus with these countries.

From Area Handbook for Albania by Elpern, Sarah Jane