trade disputenoun [ C ]
ukusHR → industrial dispute
COMMERCE, POLITICS a disagreement between countries about the products they trade with each other, for example, about import taxes or limits on the number of goods that can be imported:
a trade dispute with sb All trade disputes with Japan had been settled.
a trade dispute over sth Clothing exports to the US continue to be affected by trade disputes over illegal transhipments.
resolve/settle a trade dispute