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

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

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

ING expects continued strong growth in May, with exports rising 33.5% year-on-year and imports rising 37%, resulting in a trade surplus of $15.5 billion.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 5, 2026

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

From Barron's • Jun. 4, 2026

United Arab Emirates:   The UAE has an open economy with a high per   capita income and a sizable annual trade surplus.

From The 2001 CIA World Factbook by United States. Central Intelligence Agency