free trade

noun

: trade based on the unrestricted international exchange of goods with tariffs used only as a source of revenue

Examples of free trade in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said last week that issuing a joint statement strongly endorsing free trade would be unlikely because of differing positions among APEC members. —Eva Roytburg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2025

The votes only require simple majorities to pass and are likely to present the latest rebuke of the president’s tariff policies by members of his own party, as Republicans have traditionally upheld principles of free trade. —Ramsey Touchberry, The Washington Examiner, 28 Oct. 2025

Mulroney’s team was intensely aware of the electoral risks associated with free trade. —Dónal Gill, The Dial, 28 Oct. 2025

In the wake of hefty tariffs levied by the United States that have bruised global supply chains, China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have solidified their own free trade pact aimed at deepening cooperation and reducing reliance on the American export market. —Kate Nishimura, Sourcing Journal, 28 Oct. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for free trade

• afraid
• allayed
• arcade
• arrayed
• assayed
• barmaid
• betrayed
• blockade
• bridesmaid
• brigade
• brocade
• buffeted

Kids Definition

free trade

noun

: trade between nations without restrictions (as high taxes on imports)