What is a trade imbalance? economics

A trade imbalance exists when a nation's exports are much
greater or much lower in value than its imports. Typically, we speak of the trade
imbalance between two countries, when one country exports much more to the other than it
imports from that country.

The balance of trade of a
country can be defined as the difference between the value of the country's exports and
the value of its imports.  A country, like the United States, which imports more than it
exports is said to have a negative balance of trade or a trade deficit.  A country like
China has a positive balance of trade.  Since the US imports much more from China than
it exports to China, a trade imbalance exists between the two
countries.