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
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In his address, Reagan emphasized the importance of free trade, while defending his decision to impose 100% tariffs on affected products. Miranda Jeyaretnam, Time, 24 Oct. 2025 Reagan championed free trade while selectively deviating from it, according to the Cato Institute, a libertarian think tank. Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy, USA Today, 24 Oct. 2025 What To Know While the audio clip of Reagan during a radio address on tariffs and free trade from April 25, 1987, in Camp David in Maryland appears to indicate Reagan was anti-tariffs, the full address reveals a more nuanced picture of Reagan’s viewpoints on the matter. Suzanne Blake, MSNBC Newsweek, 24 Oct. 2025 Policymakers should focus on accelerating implementation of Africa’s free trade area to make the continent more resilient to global shocks, the secretary general of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat said. semafor.com, 22 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for free trade

Word History

First Known Use

1766, in the meaning defined above

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

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Cite this Entry

“Free trade.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/free%20trade. Accessed 26 Oct. 2025.

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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