<P> The balance of trade , commercial balance , or net exports ( sometimes symbolized as NX ) , is the difference between the monetary value of a nation 's exports and imports over a certain period . Sometimes a distinction is made between a balance of trade for goods versus one for services . `` Balance of trade '' can be a misleading term because trade measures a flow of exports and imports over a given period of time , rather than a balance of exports and imports at a given point in time . Also , balance of trade does not mean that exports and imports are `` in balance '' with each other or anything else . </P>
<P> The balance of trade , commercial balance , or net exports ( sometimes symbolized as NX ) , is the difference between the monetary value of a nation 's exports and imports over a certain period . Sometimes a distinction is made between a balance of trade for goods versus one for services . `` Balance of trade '' can be a misleading term because trade measures a flow of exports and imports over a given period of time , rather than a balance of exports and imports at a given point in time . Also , balance of trade does not mean that exports and imports are `` in balance '' with each other or anything else . </P>
the total value of a nation 's exports compared to its imports
the total value of a nation 's exports compared to its imports
balance of trade commercial balance net exports NX
balance of trade commercial balance net exports NX