a system of international trade in which there are no restrictions or taxes on imports and exportsa free-trade agreement/areainternationalOxford Collocations DictionaryFree trade is used before these nouns: pact,zoneSeefull entrySee related entries:Economy,International relationsCultureAfter 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, and in 1994 it began operating NAFTA with Canada and Mexico.
See free trade in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic EnglishSee free trade in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
