What term describes a situation where the value of imports exceeds the value of exports?

The situation where the value of imports exceeds the value of exports is referred to as a trade deficit. In this context, a trade deficit indicates that a country is buying more goods and services from other countries than it is selling to them. This can happen for various reasons, such as an increased demand for foreign products, a decline in domestic production, or changes in consumer preferences.

A trade surplus, on the other hand, occurs when exports are greater than imports, which is the opposite of a trade deficit. The balance of trade reflects the overall difference between the value of exports and imports, but it can be either positive (trade surplus) or negative (trade deficit). An export surplus is a term that would suggest a situation where exports significantly exceed imports, which also does not apply in this scenario. Thus, the term that correctly identifies the situation of higher imports compared to exports is indeed a trade deficit.