What economic term describes a country exporting more goods than it imports?

A country that exports more goods than it imports has a trade surplus.

The balance of trade compares the monetary value of a country’s exports and imports of goods over a stated period. When export value exceeds import value, the result is a surplus. When imports exceed exports, the result is a trade deficit. The calculation is often called the visible balance because it traditionally focuses on physical goods.

A trade surplus does not automatically mean an economy is healthier, and a deficit is not automatically harmful. Countries may import machinery, energy or components that support future production. A surplus may reflect strong exports, weak domestic demand, currency effects or dependence on particular commodities.

The balance of trade is also only one part of the broader current account, which includes services, primary income and transfers. This is why a country can have a goods surplus while recording a smaller current-account surplus or even a current-account deficit after other transactions are included.