trade deficit

noun

finance

: a situation in which a country buys more from other countries than it sells to other countries : the amount of money by which a country's imports are greater than its exports

Examples of trade deficit in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

America’s trade deficit with the rest of the world grew in July to the highest level seen in more than a year, prompting an outraged response from the Commander in Chief. — Kate Nishimura, Footwear News, 4 Sep. 2026

At over $200 billion, the US ran its largest trade deficit with China last year, followed by Mexico and Vietnam. — Elisabeth Buchwald, CNN Money, 4 Sep. 2026

China and the European Union more broadly have also been engaged in trade talks this summer as Europe wants to reduce its record trade deficit with China by October. — Evelyn Cheng, CNBC, 3 Sep. 2026

In July, the monthly trade deficit in goods hit its highest level since March 2025, the Commerce Department revealed on Thursday. — Editorial Board, Washington Post, 30 Aug. 2026