trade deficit
US /ˈtreɪd ˌdef.ɪ.sɪt/
UK /ˈtreɪd ˌdef.ɪ.sɪt/
1.
the amount by which the cost of a country's imports exceeds the value of its exports
:
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The country has been struggling with a large trade deficit for years.
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Reducing the trade deficit is a key economic goal.