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 He and his colleagues across Europe are concerned by the prospect of a free trade deal between the EU and the Southern Common Market, or Mercosur, which groups Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Whitney Eulich, The Christian Science Monitor, 30 Apr. 2024 The shift is also a consequence of the 2020 free trade agreement between the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, that has persuaded manufacturers to invest in those countries instead of China. Morgan Haefner, Quartz, 31 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for free trade 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'free trade.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of free trade was in 1766

Dictionary Entries Near free trade

Cite this Entry

“Free trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20trade. Accessed 8 May. 2024.

Kids Definition

free trade

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

More from Merriam-Webster on free trade

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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