trade agreement
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trade agreement
A treaty under international law between two or more countries that sets out the rules and conditions for mutual trade in goods and services.
Die Europäische Union hat ein neues Handelsabkommen mit Japan abgeschlossen, um Zölle zu senken.
The European Union concluded a new trade agreement with Japan in order to lower tariffs.
The word is made up of three parts: 'der Handel' (trade), the linking element '-s-', and 'das Abkommen' (agreement). So it literally means an agreement about trade.
Das „s“ in „Handelsabkommen“ ist ein Fugenlaut, der die beiden Wortteile verbindet.
The 's' in 'Handelsabkommen' is a linking sound that connects the two word parts.
In political and economic contexts, trade agreements are 'ausgehandelt' (negotiated), 'abgeschlossen' (concluded), 'unterzeichnet' (signed), or also 'gekündigt' (terminated).
Die beiden Länder haben monatelang über das neue Handelsabkommen verhandelt.
The two countries negotiated the new trade agreement for months.
'Handelsabkommen' (trade agreement) is a formal word from the specialized language of politics, law, and economics. It is rarely used in normal everyday life.
In den Nachrichten wurde über das geplante Handelsabkommen berichtet.
The news reported on the planned trade agreement.
A trade agreement exists 'zwischen' (between) several partners (dative) or 'mit' (with) one partner (dative).
Das Handelsabkommen zwischen den USA und China ist sehr komplex.
The trade agreement between the USA and China is very complex.
free trade agreement
'Freihandelsabkommen' and 'Handelsabkommen' both refer to agreements between countries about trade. 'Handelsabkommen' is the more general term: it can set many different rules for trade. 'Freihandelsabkommen' is more specific. It is especially about reducing tariffs and other trade barriers. The words can be confused because every free trade agreement is also a trade agreement. But not every trade agreement is automatically a free trade agreement.
Die Regierung verhandelt ein Handelsabkommen über Waren und Dienstleistungen.
The government is negotiating a trade agreement on goods and services.
Das neue Freihandelsabkommen soll die Zölle zwischen den Ländern senken.
The new free trade agreement is intended to lower tariffs between the countries.