free trade
noun /ˌfriː ˈtreɪd/
/ˌfriː ˈtreɪd/
[uncountable]- a system of international trade in which there are no limits or taxes on imports and exports
- a free trade agreement/area
CultureAfter the end of the Corn Laws in the 19th century, Britain was in favour of free trade, but during the Great Depression there were special charges on imports to protect local industry. In the second half of the 20th century Britain joined free-trade organizations such as EFTA, (the European Free Trade Association) and the European Union.During its history, the US has generally tried to protect its industries with charges on imports. Since the First World War, however, it has supported free trade. In 1994 it began operating NAFTA with Canada and Mexico and this was replaced in 2018 with the United States–Mexico–Canada Agreement (USMCA).Collocations International relationsInternational relationsTradeTopics Moneyc1, Politicsc1- facilitate/regulate trade (with other countries)
- form/join a trading bloc
- live in/compete in a global/the world economy
- support/promote free trade
- adopt/call for/oppose protectionist measures
- erect/impose/reduce/remove trade barriers
- impose/lift/raise/eliminate import tariffs (on something)
- have/run a huge/large/growing trade surplus/deficit
- embrace/resist/drive globalization
- conduct/handle/talk about/discuss foreign policy
- pursue an aggressive/a hawkish foreign policy
- require/use/conduct diplomacy
- establish/break off/sever/restore diplomatic relations
- foster/promote/strengthen regional cooperation
- facilitate/achieve economic/political integration
- exercise/defend/protect/transfer/restore/regain national/state/full/limited sovereignty
- consolidate/extend/lose/retain your power (in the region)
- hold/maintain/change/alter/shift/be a shift in the balance of power (in the region)
- cause/create/open/expose/heal/repair a deep/growing/major/serious rift between X and Y
- have/hold/host/attend an international conference/an economic forum/a G20 summit
- launch a new round of global/multilateral/world trade negotiations
- send/head/lead/meet a high-level/an official/a trade delegation
- begin/start/continue/resume peace talks
- be committed to/be opposed to/disrupt/undermine/derail/sabotage the peace process
- negotiate/achieve a lasting political settlement
- broker/sign a peace deal/agreement/treaty
- be/constitute/pose a threat to global security
- compromise/endanger/protect national security
- justify/be in favour of/ (US English) be in favor of/be against military intervention
- threaten/authorize/launch/take/support/oppose unilateral/pre-emptive military action
- impose/enforce/lift/end economic sanctions/an arms embargo/a naval blockade
- close/protect/secure/patrol the border
- lead/be involved in a peacekeeping operation
- negotiate/announce a $15 billion aid package/an economic stimulus package
- send/provide/request/cut off military aid
- bring/provide emergency/humanitarian relief
- deliver/distribute medical supplies/(British English) food parcels/(North American English)food packages
- fund/run a foreign/a local/an international NGO
- reduce/eradicate child/global/world poverty
Oxford Collocations DictionaryFree trade is used before these nouns:- pact
- zone