balance of trade

noun phrase

Definition of balance of trade

: the difference in value over a period of time between a country's imports and exports

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balance of trade

Financial Definition of balance of trade

What It Is

Balance of trade (BOT), also known as the trade balance, is the calculation of a country's exports minus its imports.

How It Works

When a country imports more than it exports, the resulting negative number is called a trade deficit. When the opposite is true, a country has a trade surplus.

For example, if the United States imported $1 trillion in goods and services last year, but exported only $750 billion in goods and services to other countries, then the United States had a negative $250 billion BOT, or a $250 billion trade deficit.

In the United States, the Bureau of Economic Analysis calculates the BOT. The BOT is a component of a country's current account, which in turn is a component of the Balance of Payments.

Why It Matters

The trade balance is used to help economists and analysts understand the strength of a country's economy in relation to other countries.

A country with a large trade deficit is essentially borrowing money to purchase goods and services, and a country with a large trade surplus is essentially lending money to deficit countries. In some cases, the balance of trade correlates with the country's political stability because it is indicative of the level of foreign investment occurring there.

Source: Investing Answers

balance of trade

noun

English Language Learners Definition of balance of trade

: the difference between the amount of money that a country spends on its imports and the amount that it earns from its exports

balance of trade

Definition of balance of trade

First Known Use of balance of trade

Financial Definition of balance of trade

English Language Learners Definition of balance of trade

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