Trade Balance in the United States

Trade Balance in the International Business Landscape

Definition of Trade Balance in the context of U.S. international business and public trade policy: The total value of a nation’s merchandise exports minus the value of its merchandise imports, globally or vis-à-vis specific countries or regions. A “negative” trade balance is one in which imports exceed exports.

Concept of Merchandise Trade Balance in Foreign Trade

A definition of Merchandise Trade Balance in relation with foreign trade is provided here: The merchandise trade balance represents the difference between U.S. total exports based on F.A.S. values and U.S. general imports based on Customs values. This balance corresponds to a measurement of the international payments or credit flows resulting from the physical movement of goods between the U.S. and foreign countries. Monthly balances are based on seasonally adjusted data.