Multilateral trade agreement (多边贸易协定 duōbiān màoyì xiédìng) refers to the commercial treaty signed by three or more than three countries. By reducing tariffs, the agreement aims at making it easier for parties to import and export. Also see: trade agreement; import; export; tariff.
- 多 (duō) as in many or multi(许多 xǔduō or 很多 hěnduō) or how many (多少 duōshǎo); 边 (biān) as in border (边界 biānjiè) or remote (边远 biānyuǎn). 多边 (duōbiān) means multilateral, as in polygon (多边形 duōbiānxíng).
- 贸 (mào) has the radical “贝” which means shell (贝壳 bèiké). 贝 (bèi) was originally used as money in ancient times. 易 (yì) as in easy (容易 róngyì) or deal (交易 jiāoyì). 贸易 (màoyì) as in export trade (出口贸易 chūkǒu màoyì).
- 协 (xié) as in coordinate (协调 xiétiáo) or cooperate (协作 xiézuò); 定 (dìng) as in define (定义 dìngyì) or settle down (定居 dìngjū). 协定 (xiédìng) means agreement.