What is international trade?

International trade is the exchange of goods and services between two different countries. International trade creates a mutually beneficial set up between countries and companies that operate within them, as the market for goods and services produced in a country expands globally.

International trade is driven by the reality that different countries have access to different natural resources and production systems. The United States is able to import food and consumer goods from countries that it can't produce domestically. Also, companies in the United States are able to sell goods and services for increased revenue abroad by exporting to countries that rely on foreign goods.