trade deficit

US /ˈtreɪd ˌdef.ɪ.sɪt/
UK /ˈtreɪd ˌdef.ɪ.sɪt/
"trade deficit" picture
1.

the amount by which the cost of a country's imports exceeds the value of its exports

:
The country has been struggling with a large trade deficit for years.
Reducing the trade deficit is a key economic goal.