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.

---

Etymology

Origin of trade surplus

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

As a result, Canada’s trade surplus incorporating both goods and services widened slightly to C$2.8 billion from C$2.28 billion in March.

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

The weakening, he told AFP, was fuelled by high dollar demand caused by the spike in oil prices and a narrowing trade surplus.

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

Imports are projected to have risen 22.5% on year, resulting in a $25.18 billion trade surplus in May, the poll showed.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 29, 2026

Canada enjoys a substantial trade surplus   with its principal trading partner, the US, which absorbs about 85%   of Canadian exports.

From The 2007 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency