free trade

noun
1.
trade between countries, free from governmental restrictions or duties.
2.
international trade free from protective duties and subject only to such tariffs as are needed for revenue.
3.
the system, principles, or maintenance of such trade.
4.
Chiefly Scot. smuggling.
Origin
1600-10
Related forms
free-trade, adjective
prefree-trade, adjective
Examples from the web for free trade
  • But it also poses a quandary, pitting our need for security against the ideal of an open society and free trade.
  • Their agenda includes promoting the war on terror, maintaining strong intelligence services, and supporting free trade agreements.
  • Much better spend your efforts on promoting free trade.
  • Lets get rid of all farm subsidies and have real free trade, not pretend free trade.
  • He noted that corporations are a danger to free trade, not a hallmark of it.
  • All of this was made possible by new networks of railways and shipping lines enabled by free trade agreements.
  • There has never been a good argument against free trade.
  • The difference between peaceful free trade and invasions, occupations and imperialism seems much clearer.
  • In his first column, he asked why there was such widespread disillusionment with global free trade.
  • Check out my post a few days ago on what's happening with garment manufacturing in the free trade zone.
British Dictionary definitions for free trade

free trade

noun
1.
international trade that is free of such government interference as import quotas, export subsidies, protective tariffs, etc Compare protection (sense 3)
2.
(archaic) illicit trade; smuggling
free trade in Culture

free trade definition


Unrestricted trade among nations without government tariffs or customs duties on imports.