balance of trade
noun[singular]
ukus(alsotrade balance);(alsovisible balance)ECONOMICS
thedifferencebetween themoneythat acountryreceivesfromexportsand themoneyitspendsonimports:
Officialfiguresyesterdayshowedthebalanceoftradeingoodsplungedto arecorddeficit.
balanceoftradedeficit/surplus
adverse/favourablebalanceoftrade