trade surplus

[ treyd sur-pluhs, -pluhs ]

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. Compare trade deficit ( def ).

Word History and Origins

Origin of trade surplus¹

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

In 2012, the U.S. notched a record $50 billion trade surplus in tourism.

From The Daily Beast

The U.S. last year had a $50 billion trade surplus in tourism.

From The Daily Beast

By creating the euro currency, Germany saved itself from racking up a large trade surplus.

From The Daily Beast

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

From Project Gutenberg