Trade Balance

Trade balance

Overall result of a country's exports.

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Trade Balance

The difference between the value of a country's exports and the value of its imports. If the value of exports exceeds that of imports, a country is said to have a trade surplus, while the opposite case is called a trade deficit. Analysts disagree on the impact, if any, of the balance of trade on the economy. Some economists believe that an overly large trade deficit causes unemployment and lowers GDP growth. Others believe that the balance of trade has little impact, because the more international trade occurs, the more likely it is that foreign companies will invest in the home country, negating any negative effects.