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

To me, more pragmatism means moving away from the corrupt, capricious policies of the current administration, such as crony capitalism that imposes bogus tariffs on free trade, punishing leaders and countries the president dislikes while favoring those who flatter him. —Chicago Tribune, 5 Sep. 2025

According to the study, 73% believed that international trade was good for China's overall economy and standard of living, while 60% preferred a policy of global free trade. —Jan Camenzind Broomby, NPR, 5 Sep. 2025

The Mercosur deal would create what EU officials call the world’s largest free trade zone with 700 million people and lower high tariffs on EU farm exports in Latin America. —David McHugh, Fortune, 5 Sep. 2025

In 1999 the World Trade Organization gathered in Seattle to celebrate free trade. —E. Tammy Kim, The New York Review of Books, 4 Sep. 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)